UN Commission Warns Israeli Military Actions in Syria May Amount to War Crimes

A United Nations commission investigating Syria stated on Tuesday that Israeli military activity inside Syrian territory, including the detention of civilians, may amount to war crimes. Commissioner Fionnuala Ni Aolain told the UN Human Rights Council that Israeli operations in southern Syria have become increasingly sustained and entrenched. The commission documented the establishment of fixed military infrastructure and temporary checkpoints in the provinces of Quneitra and Daraa, describing the presence as a belligerent occupation.

Since the fall of Bashar al Assad in December 2024, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syrian military infrastructure and deployed troops into a UN patrolled buffer zone. The commission identified 49 Syrians, including two children, who were detained by the Israeli military on Syrian territory and transferred across the border. Some of these detainees are reportedly being held incommunicado, raising concerns about potential torture or ill treatment.

Israel has defended its actions as necessary to protect its citizens from proven security threats. The Israeli mission in Geneva characterized the UN session as an Israel bashing session and stated that it maintains a temporary buffer zone amounting to 0.1 percent of Syria. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated during a visit to troops in southern Syria that there are no plans to withdraw from the security zone as long as threats exist.

Syrian officials have condemned the operations as a violation of international law, Syrian sovereignty, and a 1974 disengagement agreement. Syrian Prime Minister Ahmed al Sharaa emphasized that Syria is focused on reconstruction and is not a threat to any nation. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani reported 147 instances of Syrian citizens being apprehended by Israeli soldiers this year, noting that negotiations are ongoing with the United States acting as a mediator.