Overview
- Netanyahu traveled with the defense and foreign ministers, the IDF chief and security chiefs to an IDF outpost, observed the sector, held a security briefing and met regular and reserve soldiers.
- Damascus condemned the visit as a dangerous violation of sovereignty and demanded withdrawal, while UN officials called it concerning and urged adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
- Russia’s UN ambassador said Israel’s moves grossly violate international law and threaten regional security, and Qatar urged international pressure over what it called a blatant breach of sovereignty.
- U.S.-brokered negotiations on a security arrangement are reported to be at an impasse, with disputes over Israel retaining new posts and a proposed Sweida humanitarian corridor that Syria rejected.
- Israeli leaders have said forces will remain in the buffer zone and on Mount Hermon, as Netanyahu highlighted protecting the Druze community and Israel’s northern border.