Israeli military activity in Syria has increased, with dozens of incursions reported in recent weeks.
A war monitor counted at least 70 incursions by the IDF in southern Syria in the first two weeks of November, including reconnaissance patrols, construction of roadblocks, blocking local roads with earthen barriers and behavior consistent with that of the Israeli government, including searches of homes and checks of civilian identity cards.
Since November 1, IDF activity has been reported in the Quneitra and Daraa provinces, and the strategic Hermon in the Damascus countryside, according to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The residents of Quneitra staged a demonstration on Friday demanding the release of kidnapped relatives held in Israeli prisons. Former detainees and relatives said that captives face beatings, threats and harsh conditions, with no explanation as to why they are being held.
Separately on Friday, SANA reported that Israeli forces entered the town of Jabata al-Khashab, Quneitra, temporarily detaining three people, searching homes and damaging shops.
On Sunday, Israeli tanks opened fire on agricultural lands and fields in the western countryside of Daraa. No casualties were reported and no details were given on what caused the incident.
The Syrian government formally demanded that Israel withdraw from its internationally recognized territories, but did not issue any new statements in November escalating incursions. Families told the LA Times that their pleas to the government for the return of their loved ones "fell on deaf ears."
December will mark the second anniversary of the surprise collapse of the Assad government and its replacement by rebel forces. During the chaos of 2024, Israel launched hundreds of air, artillery and drone strikes to destroy Syria's air defense, air force, navy and missile forces, adding 400 square kilometers to the territories it has occupied since 1967.