Israel Called to Withdraw Troops from Golan Heights

Tensions escalate in the Golan Heights as European countries call on Israel to withdraw its troops from the demilitarized buffer zone along its border with Syria. This demand follows Israeli Prime Minister's order for the military to seize additional territory in the region. In an interview with Dr. Robert G. Pinfold, an expert in International Peace and Security at Durham University, he describes this situation as extraordinary and unexpected, marking Israel's increased involvement in the Syrian conflict. Israel unilaterally abrogated the previous agreement with Syria, claiming the Assad regime is no longer a legitimate entity, thus rendering the agreement defunct. This led to Israel's recent territorial expansion, taking about 250 square kilometers of land, which raises significant concerns among the international community. Historical context shows that the Golan Heights was seized from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed by Israel. Currently, around 50,000 people reside in this contested area, half of whom are Jewish Israelis, with the other half being Syrian Druze, a sect with complex relationships with both sides. The situation is further complicated by a significant increase in Israeli air strikes, totaling over 480 in just three days, reflecting a stark escalation in Israeli military action in Syria. This new reality poses serious security threats and could have lasting implications for the region’s stability.