Egypt Condemns Israeli Occupation of Syrian Territory on Mount Hermon
Egypt has strongly condemned Israel’s continued occupation of the Mount Hermon area, a strategically important region along the Syrian border. This condemnation comes amid renewed international focus on the Golan Heights, a disputed territory also occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement denouncing Israel’s actions as an illegal occupation of Syrian land, a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty, and a clear breach of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
This agreement, brokered by the United Nations after the Yom Kippur War, established a buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. Israel’s presence on Mount Hermon, which overlooks the Golan Heights and offers strategic surveillance capabilities, has long been a point of contention. The Egyptian statement argues that Israel is exploiting the ongoing instability and conflict within Syria to further its territorial ambitions and establish new facts on the ground, in direct contravention of international law. This “land grab” strategy, as some analysts call it, raises concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.
The situation on Mount Hermon is further complicated by the ongoing Syrian Civil War, which has created a power vacuum in certain areas. This instability, Egypt argues, is being exploited by Israel to expand its control over Syrian territory. The international community, including the UN Security Council, has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict and respect for Syria’s territorial integrity. However, these calls have largely gone unheeded, and the situation on the ground remains tense.
Egypt’s condemnation echoes similar concerns voiced by other nations and international organizations. The UN, for example, has affirmed Syria’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights in numerous resolutions, including Resolution 242 (1967) and Resolution 497 (1981). These resolutions call for Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied territories and a just and lasting peace in the region. However, the implementation of these resolutions has been stalled for decades.
The Egyptian government is urging the UN Security Council and international powers to uphold their responsibilities and take a firm stance against Israel’s actions in Syria. They are calling for concrete measures to ensure Syria’s sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. The statement emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and upholding the principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty. The future of the region, Egypt argues, hinges on the international community’s willingness to address these critical issues and work towards a just and sustainable peace. The ongoing situation underscores the urgent need for a renewed diplomatic effort to resolve the long-standing conflict and prevent further escalation.
