Israeli forces carried out multiple ground operations in Syria’s Quneitra countryside on Monday, targeting villages and forested areas despite international warnings, local sources and Syrian state media reported.

The incursions have caused civilian displacement, destruction of property, and heightened regional tensions, according to local sources.

Convoys of tanks and military vehicles advanced into key areas, including the vicinity of Abu Qubais village and the northern Hammariyye Heights, supported by drones and armored units. Observers described the movements as part of an escalating pattern of Israeli aggression in southern Syria, particularly in the strategic Golan Heights.

The operations took place despite explicit warnings from the United States. Former President Donald Trump reportedly urged Israel to refrain from actions that could undermine Syria’s ongoing political transition, prompting diplomatic communications between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Local sources report that previous incursions in Quneitra’s rural areas resulted in the destruction of civilian homes, agricultural land, and forests, as well as the arbitrary detention of villagers. Hundreds of hectares of forested terrain have been damaged, further destabilizing local livelihoods and aggravating humanitarian concerns.

Syria’s state media noted that the Israeli incursions coincided with visits from Arab diplomatic delegations assessing recent damage, highlighting the international attention the situation is drawing. The escalation follows earlier Israeli strikes in Beit Jinn, which killed civilians and drew widespread condemnation from regional actors.

Analysts warn that Israel’s continued military expansion in Quneitra, particularly after the collapse of administrative structures in 2024, threatens long-term stability in the Golan Heights. Persistent airstrikes, surveillance operations, and repeated ground incursions have severely restricted access to essential services, agriculture, and basic security for local populations.

International observers and Syrian authorities have called for restraint, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. While agencies such as Xinhua have verified the presence of Israeli convoys and military activity in the region, comprehensive assessments of civilian casualties and property damage are still ongoing.

The repeated incursions underscore the fragility of peace in southern Syria and the continuing risks posed to civilians by Israel’s aggressive military operations. (ILKHA)