Israeli forces establish checkpoint in Syria's Quneitra in sovereignty breach

Israeli military forces have conducted a fresh incursion into Syrian territory, establishing a checkpoint and conducting searches of civilian vehicles in the northern Quneitra countryside. According to Syrian state media reports, an Israeli military unit advanced into the area surrounding the Ain al-Bayda junction and remained deployed there, stopping passing cars and performing inspections in what Damascus characterizes as the latest violation of its national sovereignty.

Recent Escalation in Border Operations

The checkpoint establishment continues a documented pattern of intensified Israeli military activities in Syria's Quneitra region. Local residents have repeatedly reported Israeli advances onto agricultural land, destruction of forested areas spanning hundreds of acres, arrests of Syrian civilians, and the installation of multiple military checkpoints along the border area. Neither Israeli military officials nor Syrian authorities provided immediate commentary on the most recent incident.

Broader Context of Israeli Operations

According to Syrian government documentation, Israeli forces have executed more than 1,000 airstrikes on Syrian territory and conducted over 400 cross-border ground operations into southern provinces since December 2024. This sustained military campaign represents one of the most significant ongoing violations of Syrian sovereignty and has escalated following political changes within Syria.

Post-Regime Change Territorial Expansion

The increased military activities follow Israel's expansion of its occupation in the Golan Heights region after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government in late 2024. Israeli forces seized control of the demilitarized buffer zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, effectively extending their territorial control beyond previous boundaries in direct violation of the longstanding armistice arrangement.