Tensions between Israel and Syria continue to focus on the strategically important Golan Heights, as both sides remain locked in a dispute over territory and security.

Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and later extended its laws and administration over the area. The United Nations and most of the international community continue to regard the territory as occupied Syrian land.

The situation has become more complicated since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, when Israeli forces moved into the UN-patrolled buffer zone and expanded their military presence in southern Syria.

The latest developments come amid wider efforts to determine the future of Israel-Syria relations, with the Golan Heights remaining one of the most sensitive territorial issues in any potential agreement.

Israel, Syria Tussle Over Control of Golan Heights

Colombia's newly installed right-wing government has recognised Israel's claim over the Golan Heights. Notably, Colombia has become only the second nation, after the United States, to recognise Israel's claim on the disputed territory captured from Syria in 1967.The decision was announced Monday (Aug 10) by the government of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days earlier after campaigning on closer ties with Washington and Israel. "The Government of Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over this territory," Colombia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X, adding that Israel had the right to defend itself against external threats.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Atenci%C3%B3n?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Atención</a> | Colombia reconoce la soberanía de Israel sobre los Altos del Golán. <a href="https://t.co/D7dDZ6lxzy">pic.twitter.com/D7dDZ6lxzy</a>&mdash; Cancillería Colombia (@CancilleriaCol) <a href="https://x.com/CancilleriaCol/status/2086844364295188570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bogota also described Israeli control of the Golan Heights as essential to the country's national defence.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-15-5-million-emergency-aid-for-colombia-after-deadly-earthquake-kills-111-1786404911878">US announces $15.5 million emergency aid for Colombia after deadly earthquake kills 111</a><h2>Why the Golan Heights matters</h2>Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed the territory in 1981. That annexation has not been recognised by the United Nations, which continues to regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation.The United States had previously been the only country to formally recognise Israeli sovereignty over the territory. Colombia's decision therefore marks a significant departure from the international position on the Golan Heights.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the move, calling De la Espriella his "good friend".Saar said the two had agreed on the decision during a meeting in Barranquilla, one day before the Colombian president's inauguration. "Defensible borders are essential to guarantee the continued existence of the Jewish people in our historic homeland," Saar wrote on X.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated as recently as last month that the Golan Heights remain part of Syria and described Israel's occupation of the territory as "totally unacceptable."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-s-new-president-abelardo-de-la-espriella-vows-to-defeat-narco-terrorists-signals-hardline-shift-1786152872849">Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift</a><h2>Colombia's sharp foreign policy shift</h2>The recognition represents a dramatic reversal from the policies of De la Espriella's predecessor, left-wing President Gustavo Petro.&nbsp;Petro was a vocal critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. His government severed diplomatic relations with Israel and halted Israeli arms imports. De la Espriella, a US-backed millionaire, has promised to rebuild those ties and deepen cooperation with both Washington and Jerusalem.Last month, he also said Colombia planned to open an embassy in Jerusalem, a move that would further align his government with Israel.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Agradezco a Colombia y a mi buen amigo, el presidente de Colombia, Abelardo De La Espriella <a href="https://x.com/ABDELAESPRIELLA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ABDELAESPRIELLA</a>, por su histórica decisión de reconocer la soberanía de Israel en los Altos del Golán. Esto, tras nuestra reunión en Barranquilla, Colombia, el pasado jueves. Con… <a href="https://t.co/wisVitfs8J">https://t.co/wisVitfs8J</a>&mdash; Gideon Sa&#39;ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) <a href="https://x.com/gidonsaar/status/2086848911545610720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Colombia's new government has recognised Israel's claim over the disputed Golan Heights, breaking with the long-standing international position that the territory remains Syrian. The move marks a sharp shift in Bogota's foreign policy under President Abelardo de la Espriella.

Colombia's newly installed right-wing government has recognised Israel's claim over the Golan Heights. Notably, Colombia has become only the second nation, after the United States, to recognise Israel's claim on the disputed territory captured from Syria in 1967. The decision was announced Monday (Aug 10) by the government of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days earlier after campaigning on closer ties with Washington and Israel. "The Government of Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over this territory," Colombia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X, adding that Israel had the right to defend itself against external threats.

Colombia's new government has recognised Israel's claim over the disputed Golan Heights, breaking with the long-standing international position that the territory remains Syrian. The move marks a sharp shift in Bogota's foreign policy under President Abelardo de la Espriella.

Colombia recognises Israel's claim over Golan Heights, goes against decades of global consensus

The state of Israel has approved a $300 million dollar plan and in this, it wants to do and double the number of Jewish settlers in Golan Heights.

Israel plans to double settlers in occupied Golan Heights

Israel returned fire at Syrian army forces late Saturday after two stray artillery rounds hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli army said.

&quot;In response to projectiles launched earlier today at Israel from Syria, Israeli forces targeted the Syrian military artillery position that was the source of the previous fire,&quot; a statement said.&nbsp;

Earlier the army warned Syria to expect retaliation after the rounds fell in the Israeli-controlled zone of the strategic plateau, the latest of a string of incidents across the armistice line.

Both of Saturday&#39;s stray rounds were the &quot;result of internal fighting in Syria,&quot; the army said, adding that there were no reports of casualties.

&quot;Israel holds the Syrian regime responsible for any breach of its borders and will act accordingly,&quot; chief military spokesman, Brigadier General Ronen Manelis said.&nbsp;

&quot;Israel maintains a policy of non-involvement in the Syrian civil war. However, we will not tolerate any breach of Israel&#39;s sovereignty.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;

There has been repeated stray fire across the armistice line for the past week as Syrian troops battle rebels, including hardline Islamists, on the other side.

There have been no casualties on the Israeli side but the Jewish State has responded to every incident by striking Syrian army positions.

Rebels recently launched an offensive against Syrian government forces in Quneitra on the Syrian side of the armistice line.

Israel has conducted several air strikes in Syria since that country`s civil war erupted in 2011. Most of it has been against arms convoys or warehouses of its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah.

The Iran-backed movement is a key supporter of the Syrian regime and is fighting alongside government forces.

In April, Israel shot down what it identified only as &quot;a target&quot; over the Golan, hours after Syria accused it of hitting a military position near Damascus airport.

Israel did not confirm or deny the reported Damascus attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he would not tolerate any spillover from the fighting in Syria.

&quot;Our line is clear,&quot; Netanyahu said a Hebrew-language speech during a visit to the Golan.

&quot;We shall not permit radical Islam, led by Iran or Daesh, to open a terrorist front against the state of Israel from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights,&quot; he said using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State Jihadist group.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

Around 510 square kilometres are under Syrian control.

Both of Saturday's stray rounds were the 'result of internal fighting in Syria'

Israel returned fire at Syrian army forces late Saturday after two stray artillery rounds hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli army said. "In response to projectiles launched earlier today at Israel from Syria, Israeli forces targeted the Syrian military artillery position that was the source of the previous fire," a statement said. Earlier the army warned Syria to expect retaliation after the rounds fell in the Israeli-controlled zone of the strategic plateau, the latest of a string of incidents across the armistice line. Both of Saturday's stray rounds were the "result of internal fighting in Syria," the army said, adding that there were no reports of casualties. "Israel holds the Syrian regime responsible for any breach of its borders and will act accordingly," chief military spokesman, Brigadier General Ronen Manelis said. "Israel maintains a policy of non-involvement in the Syrian civil war. However, we will not tolerate any breach of Israel's sovereignty." There has been repeated stray fire across the armistice line for the past week as Syrian troops battle rebels, including hardline Islamists, on the other side. There have been no casualties on the Israeli side but the Jewish State has responded to every incident by striking Syrian army positions. Rebels recently launched an offensive against Syrian government forces in Quneitra on the Syrian side of the armistice line. Israel has conducted several air strikes in Syria since that country`s civil war erupted in 2011. Most of it has been against arms convoys or warehouses of its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah. The Iran-backed movement is a key supporter of the Syrian regime and is fighting alongside government forces. In April, Israel shot down what it identified only as "a target" over the Golan, hours after Syria accused it of hitting a military position near Damascus airport. Israel did not confirm or deny the reported Damascus attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he would not tolerate any spillover from the fighting in Syria. "Our line is clear," Netanyahu said a Hebrew-language speech during a visit to the Golan. "We shall not permit radical Islam, led by Iran or Daesh, to open a terrorist front against the state of Israel from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights," he said using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State Jihadist group. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. Around 510 square kilometres are under Syrian control.

Israel retaliates after Syria fighting spillover in Golan Heights