SATELLITE images reveal that Israel is building military bases in the Syrian buffer zone, it was reported on Monday.

A report by the Al Jazeera news network says that images taken on December 19 2024 — 11 days after the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — and on February 1 2025, show six sites have been built inside the buffer zone. 

Another site, outside the buffer zone and well within Syrian territory, also appears to be under construction.

The sites are located west of Hadar village, west of Jabata al-Khashab, north of al-Hamidyah, Quneitra village, south of Lake Aziz (two sites) and above Tal al-Ahmar.

A ceasefire deal struck in 1974 between Syria and Israel designated that the area in the Golan Heights, Syrian territory unilaterally annexed by Israel, would be a demilitarised buffer zone. 

Israel has regularly bombed targets within Syria over the years and after President Assad was ousted, the Israeli military began moving within the buffer zone and into Syrian territory beyond it.

Israel says it plans to remain on top of Mount Hermon — which is in Syria. Taken with the new bases and the occupation of the Golan Heights, it appears that Israel is planning to occupy more Syrian land.

Israel moved into the zone despite assurances from Syria’s new jihadist transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa that his new administration would recognise the 1974 agreement.

But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 1974 agreement was struck with a deposed regime and is now therefore invalid.

Syrian citizens in and near the demilitarised zone have complained of incursions by the Israelis onto their land as well as the setting up of Israeli checkpoints, unauthorised arrests, house raids and road closures. 

Israel claims it is acting to eliminate threats against its citizens.

The new Syrian administration is largely made up of members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group that was linked to al-Qaida. The group claims it has severed ties with al-Qaida.