Israel declares part of Golan Heights closed military zones

The Israeli occupation army declared the Quneitra crossing area, between the occupied Golan Heights and Syrian soil, a closed military zone yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli occupation said that the declaration followed intense exchanges of fire between Bashar Al-Assad loyalist forces and rebels in the region.

Recently, fighting between Syrian Army soldiers and rebels has intensified. Israeli military sources said that battles in the area “could have decisive outcomes”. The sources expected that battles in the area might undermine the control of Assad soldiers.

About a month ago, Syrian rebels established what they called the “Southern Front” that includes 30,000 fighters from five brigades. They operate along the Syrian-Jordanian borders, outskirts of Damascus and near the Golan Heights.

In March 19, Israeli forces attacked Syrian targets in the Golan Heights and issued a warning for the Syrian regime after four Israeli soldiers were wounded in an attack as they were patrolling the borders.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011, the border areas of the Golan Heights have witnessed intermittent tension.

Israel occupies around 1,200 square kilometres of the Golan Heights since 1967. The international community has never recognised this occupation.

Syria considers Israel an enemy, but many Israeli officials hailed the Syrian regime for protecting the borders. Israel destroyed several Syrian weapons saying that they pose threats against its security if seized by rebels.