Israeli ground forces have entered Syrian territory for the first time since the 1973 October War, advancing beyond the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, Israeli officials confirmed.
The move follows the takeover of several regions by HTS, triggering fears of escalating instability in the region.
Israeli forces reportedly seized the summit of Mount Hermon and other key locations to stabilize control near the border.
While Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi acknowledged the troop movement, he did not provide further details.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the decision was made to prevent “hostile forces” from taking positions near the Israeli border, calling the deployment a “temporary defensive measure.” Israeli forces also imposed curfews in several Syrian villages within the buffer zone.
Earlier, as the Syrian forces faced a tough challenge from HTS, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes over the weekend targeting Syrian military installations to prevent strategic assets, such as chemical weapons and advanced missiles.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed Israeli tanks and armored vehicles were deployed in the Quneitra region, heightening tensions along the border shared by Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
While Israel maintains its stance of not interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, the operation underscores the growing uncertainty in the region.
Israel captured much of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war, later annexing it in 1981, a move not recognized internationally.
However, former U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the area in 2019, adding another layer to the region’s contested history.