Amid International Silence: Israel Solidifies Its Presence in Syria with New Settlements
Israel continues expanding its control in the occupied Syrian Golan, building new settlements with little opposition.
Watan-The Israeli occupation continues to expand in Syrian territory, exploiting international silence and Arab complicity. It is strengthening its military presence and focusing its settlements in the occupied Syrian Golan.
While the world is preoccupied with political changes in Damascus, the occupation forces are advancing step by step to impose a new reality on the ground, taking advantage of the chaos and instability following the fall of the Assad regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clearly stated that Tel Aviv will not compromise on its interests in the Golan, emphasizing that the Israeli army’s presence there may be “temporary.” However, past experiences have shown that the occupation does not understand the meaning of retreat; rather, it seeks to cement its presence and turn it into an undeniable reality.
The latest Israeli moves in the Golan coincide with rapid political developments in Syria, where Ahmad Al-Sharaa has been appointed as interim president in Damascus in an attempt to fill the political vacuum. Yet, amid all these changes, Israel’s expansion continues without any real response from the new Syrian leadership or its regional allies.
Western media, have pointed to indications that Israel intends to make its military presence in the Golan permanent, particularly as it strengthens its military infrastructure there and transfers more equipment and troops to the area.
From the strategic Mount Hermon, which overlooks the borders with Lebanon and occupied Palestine, Netanyahu declared years ago that the Golan is Israeli land. Today, he appears to be steadily working to solidify this declaration on the ground.
Syrian villages near Mount Hermon are witnessing intensified Israeli military activity, with reports of settlement construction deep inside Syrian territory—reflecting Israel’s intent to secure long-term control over the region.
The complete silence from the new Damascus leadership and several Arab capitals paves the way for Tel Aviv to proceed with its settlement plans inside Syria, in the absence of any firm stance to deter the occupation from expanding its influence.
Western complicity and continued U.S. support make it difficult for any party to counter these actions, leaving Syrians alone to face an occupation that has persisted for decades and appears to be planning to stay in Syrian territory for the long haul.
