Overview
- Israel continues to hold roughly 400 square kilometers of the former U.N.-patrolled buffer in southern Syria, including positions on Mount Hermon, after crossing the lines a year ago.
- Al-Sharaa called for a return to pre-December 8, 2024 lines and the full reinstatement of the 1974 disengagement accord, warning that new buffer arrangements would be dangerous.
- An Israeli raid on Beit Jin on November 28 killed at least 13 people, prompted local armed resistance, wounded six Israeli soldiers, and led to dozens of detentions.
- Israeli officials frame the seizure and ongoing operations as pre-emptive security measures and have signaled the military will remain in its current positions indefinitely.
- Al-Sharaa said negotiations are under way with U.S. participation, as Washington urges restraint and dialogue, though recent Israeli actions have complicated progress.