Israeli government endorses expansion of illegal settlements in Golan Heights

The Israeli government has approved a controversial plan to expand illegal settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, a region recognized as Syrian territory under international law. The announcement came amid escalating Israeli military operations in Syria following the collapse of the Baath regime.

According to a written statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the government has adopted a “demographic growth incentive plan” aimed at doubling the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. The statement noted that Netanyahu sees this expansion as essential, citing “the war and the emerging new front with Syria” as key factors behind the decision.

“This is a crucial time,” Netanyahu said in the statement. “Strengthening the Golan means strengthening Israel.”

The plan allocates 40 million shekels (approximately $11.2 million) to promote demographic growth in the region, including the illegal settlement of Katsrin.

Intensified Israeli military activity in Syria

The approval of the plan coincides with heightened Israeli military activity in Syria. Following the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime on December 8, Israeli forces have increased their strikes, targeting the remaining military infrastructure left by the Syrian army.

Israeli troops have expanded their presence in the Golan Heights, pushing into previously demilitarized buffer zones and advancing as close as 25 kilometers to the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the 1967 Six-Day War. The region was formally annexed by Israel in 1981, a move not recognized by the international community. Under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, a buffer zone and demilitarized areas were established to prevent further conflict.

However, recent developments in Syria appear to have emboldened Israel to deepen its occupation. The Golan Heights, known for its strategic importance and natural resources, has been a focal point of tension between the two countries for decades.

While Israeli officials portray the settlement expansion as a security measure, critics argue that it violates international law and exacerbates instability in the region. The United Nations has repeatedly affirmed that the Golan Heights remains Syrian territory and that Israeli settlements there are illegal.

The decision is expected to draw renewed international scrutiny, particularly as regional dynamics continue to shift in the aftermath of Syria’s political collapse.