QUNEITRA, Syria: Israeli forces launched a fresh incursion into southern Syria late on Saturday, entering the province of Quneitra and establishing positions in newly installed prefabricated structures, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.
SANA news agency reported that an Israeli unit comprising two tanks and two military vehicles moved into the eastern Tal al-Ahmar hill area in southern Quneitra.
The forces reportedly took up positions inside prefabricated rooms that had been transported to the site a day earlier.
According to SANA, Israeli forces had already entered the area on Friday, accompanied by a bulldozer and several prefabricated structures.
The report described the move as a violation of Syrian sovereignty, adding that Israeli troops had maintained their presence by setting up fixed positions on the hill.
The latest development comes after remarks by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who indicated that Damascus was open to a potential security arrangement with Israel.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency earlier this week, al-Sharaa said Syria was seeking “some kind of security agreement” with Israel to maintain regional stability.
He noted that discussions were ongoing but progressing with “extreme difficulty,” citing Israel’s insistence on maintaining a presence on Syrian territory.
Tensions along the border have escalated since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar Assad in December 2024.
Following the collapse of Assad’s government, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement void and moved to occupy the buffer zone separating the two countries.
Despite the new Syrian administration refraining from issuing threats towards Israel, Israeli forces have continued to carry out airstrikes inside Syria, according to SANA.
