What happened today
Tensions escalate on the Israel-Syria border
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday the deployment of additional reinforcements to Israel’s northern Golan Heights, in response to security concerns near the Syrian border. The IDF later confirmed its assistance to UN forces in repelling a militant attack on a UN post along the Israel-Syria border.
Meanwhile, Syrian insurgents made significant advances, reaching the suburbs of Damascus for the first time since 2018. Opposition activists and rebel commanders reported this development, raising questions about President Bashar Assad’s stability in the capital. However, the presidential office dismissed rumours of Assad’s absence from Damascus.
Iran has reportedly started evacuating its military personnel from Syria, including top commanders of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, according to The New York Times. This withdrawal signals shifting alliances, with some personnel relocating to Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the Russian air force is aiding Syrian military efforts while calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Casualties and territorial shifts
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 20 fatalities, including five children, in clashes near Homs. Rebel factions claimed control of Daraa after an agreement allowed senior Assad regime officials safe passage to Damascus. Meanwhile, Druze militias indicated that Syrian government forces had largely withdrawn from Sweida province, retaining only a key air base.
International reactions
President-elect Donald Trump, in a social media statement, reiterated his stance that the United States should avoid involvement in Syria, calling the situation “not our fight.” Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani expressed optimism for progress in Gaza ceasefire talks, citing engagement with the incoming Trump administration.
Hostages and ceasefire developments
Hamas released a video of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, kidnapped during the October 7 attack. Reports from Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat suggest that Hamas is working to identify living hostages and has requested a temporary cessation of hostilities to compile a list. Indirect negotiations with Israel are reportedly advancing, with Qatar mediating discussions.
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Gaza and beyond
The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza stated that 44,664 Palestinians have been killed, with over 105,000 injured since the war began. The IDF has intensified operations, striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to perceived threats.
US envoy Amos Hochstein highlighted that Iran’s withdrawal from Syria weakens Hezbollah’s operational capabilities. However, he warned that the group remains a significant threat in the region.
West bank and domestic unrest
Violence continued in the West Bank, where an Israeli man was severely injured in a suspected car-ramming attack in Hebron. Israeli forces are pursuing the assailant. In a separate incident, an individual launching fireworks at security forces at the Qalandiyah crossing was shot dead; authorities alleged ties to ISIS.
Settler violence persisted, with reports of attacks on Palestinian villages and agricultural property. The Shin Bet security agency announced the indictment of Ahmad Wadi, a resident of Shfaram, for planning a revenge attack on a police station.
Political crisis Amid war
Israel remains engulfed in domestic political turmoil. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to testify in court this week amidst ongoing corruption trials. His office is coordinating testimony schedules to avoid conflicts with critical Knesset votes.
This war follows months of domestic strife, sparked by judicial reform efforts seen as undermining the judiciary’s independence. The internal discord has compounded tensions, as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history grapples with escalating violence in the West Bank.
Conclusion
The conflict, now 428 days in, underscores a region mired in instability and humanitarian crisis. With shifting alliances, territorial changes, and international involvement, the war’s trajectory remains uncertain.
