Israeli Prime Minister Declares Disengagement Agreement Void Following Fall of al-Assad's Regime

Jerusalem, Dec 8 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that the 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement, which created a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria, has collapsed.

Netanyahu made these remarks while visiting Mount Bental in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a strategic location overlooking the Syrian frontier. He was joined by Defence Minister Israel Katz.

The Prime Minister stated that the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's government had triggered a chain reaction throughout the Middle East.

Netanyahu emphasized that the collapse of the Syrian administration provides new and significant opportunities for Israel, while also cautioning about the dangers associated with the evolving situation.

He mentioned that he had given orders for Israeli forces to enter the buffer zone and take positions to thwart any hostile entities from gaining a foothold in the area, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

"We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he stated, seemingly addressing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction leading the rebel advances in Syria.

Netanyahu assured that Israel would remain vigilant to developments and "do whatever is necessary to safeguard our borders and maintain our security." He also expressed a desire for "a policy of good neighborliness" with Syria.

Katz, on his part, mentioned that he directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with cabinet approval, to "take control of the buffer zone and key vantage points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights -- both Jewish and Druze -- to prevent them from being exposed to threats from the other side."

Since the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon last October, Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria, asserting that it has targeted Iranian and Hezbollah-linked militias and operations.