Syrian officials have issued a new warning to Israel amid increasing regional tensions. This follows a deadly strike in Majdal Shams, a town in the Golan Heights, which is internationally recognized as part of Syria but under Israeli control since 1967. The attack, which killed twelve children and teenagers, occurred late last month.
Israel has blamed the Lebanese Hezbollah movement for the attack and responded by killing Hezbollah’s top military official, Fouad Shukr, in southern Beirut. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the Majdal Shams attack and has vowed to retaliate against Shukr’s killing. This comes amid escalating clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Syrian Mission to the United Nations has condemned the Majdal Shams attack and rejected Israel’s allegations. They blame Israel for the attack and accuse it of using false accusations as excuses to continue its aggression in the region. They also criticized U.S. support for Israel and called for respect for international law.
Iran has also threatened retaliation over the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The Syrian Mission stated that Israel is fully responsible for any further escalation in the region.
Syria and Israel have been technically at war since 1948, and the Golan Heights remains a contentious area. Despite Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem, these moves are not recognized under international law.
The U.S. officially recognized Israel’s control of these territories under President Trump, and President Biden has maintained this stance. The Syrian Mission has criticized the U.S. for supporting Israel’s occupation and urged a return to international law.
The Golan Heights is home to about 40,000 people, split between Druze Arab residents and Jewish Israeli settlers. Israel is responsible for security in the area, and the Druze community largely rejects Israeli citizenship.
The White House and Israeli officials have condemned the attack and blamed Hezbollah. The Syrian Mission has also criticized U.S. policy and called for an end to what they view as unjust support for Israel.
The U.S. severed relations with Syria in 2011 as the Syrian civil war began. Since then, the U.S. has shifted support to Kurdish forces in Syria while Russia and Iran have supported the Syrian government. Israel has conducted airstrikes in Syria targeting suspected Iranian positions, and Iran is considering retaliation for the killing of Haniyeh.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing diplomacy efforts to prevent further escalation.