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

Major developments unfold across India and the world in today's top headlines. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has officially called off its nationwide student protest after the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following weeks of demonstrations over the NEET paper leak controversy and demands for education reforms. The announcement came after a joint press conference between the Government of India and CJP leaders, marking a significant political development.

Internationally, tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim responsibility for targeting Saudi Arabian oil facilities along the Red Sea coast. The latest attacks have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict, with Saudi Arabia warning of further retaliation.

Europe is battling an environmental crisis as devastating wildfires continue to rage across France and Spain. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has convened another emergency crisis meeting while authorities report that more than 250,000 people have been evacuated, including nearly 197,000 people from southwestern France. The ongoing fires have also disrupted the Tour de France, forcing organizers to shorten one of the race stages due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the situation in the Golan Heights, calling recent developments unacceptable. Syria has once again demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the UN-patrolled buffer zone, adding to growing regional tensions.


Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns, CJP Calls Off Protest | Yemen Crisis | France Fires | Middle East Crisis

Top headlines:
1) Iran launches drone attacks targeting US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for recent American strikes.
2) Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim ballistic missile strikes on a US airbase in Jordan following US attacks inside Iran.
3) US military releases official footage of its latest wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian command centers, missile sites, air defenses, drone infrastructure and coastal military facilities.
4) Israel confirms it will maintain military forces inside security zones across Lebanon, Syria and Gaza to counter regional threats.
5) Russia launches fresh ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, killing civilians and injuring several others, including a child.
6) UK economy returns to growth in May despite continuing geopolitical uncertainty and elevated energy prices.

Watch the latest international news updates, geopolitical analysis and breaking headlines from around the world.

Iran strikes US bases | Russia bombards Kyiv | Israel holds security zones | UK economy grows 

A Syrian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, began a fresh round of talks with Israel on Monday, according to state news agency SANA, marking the first negotiations between the two sides in several months.Quoting a government source, SANA said the talks were coordinated and mediated by Washington, adding that the discussions were focused on reaching "a balanced security agreement" between the two countries.Two diplomatic sources told AFP that the US-mediated talks were being held in Paris.SANA said the negotiations were focused on reactivating a 1974 disengagement agreement and guaranteeing "the withdrawal of Israeli forces" to their positions before the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.Israel has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarised zone in the country's south.France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke to Shaibani on Monday in Paris, the French foreign ministry said in a statement."The two ministers stressed the importance of working towards the restoration of a unified, stable and sovereign Syria. In that regard, they mentioned the necessity of coming to a security arrangement with Israel in Syria's south," the statement said.The United States has been pushing Syria and Israel to reach an agreement that would halt hostilities between the two countries, technically at war since 1948."The resumption of these negotiations is confirmation of Syria's firm commitment to restoring its non-negotiable national rights," the government source told SANA, adding that intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama was also part of the delegation.Syria and Israel opened direct negotiations after Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led coalition.Officials have met on several occasions, most recently in September, but Israel's insistence on a demilitarised zone in southern Syria has been a major stumbling block.Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the demand would endanger his country and urged Israel to respect the 1974 deal.

After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.

A Syrian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, began a fresh round of talks with Israel on Monday, according to state news agency SANA, marking the first negotiations between the two sides in several months. Quoting a government source, SANA said the talks were coordinated and mediated by Washington, adding that the discussions were focused on reaching "a balanced security agreement" between the two countries. Two diplomatic sources told AFP that the US-mediated talks were being held in Paris. SANA said the negotiations were focused on reactivating a 1974 disengagement agreement and guaranteeing "the withdrawal of Israeli forces" to their positions before the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades. Israel has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarised zone in the country's south. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke to Shaibani on Monday in Paris, the French foreign ministry said in a statement. "The two ministers stressed the importance of working towards the restoration of a unified, stable and sovereign Syria. In that regard, they mentioned the necessity of coming to a security arrangement with Israel in Syria's south," the statement said. The United States has been pushing Syria and Israel to reach an agreement that would halt hostilities between the two countries, technically at war since 1948. "The resumption of these negotiations is confirmation of Syria's firm commitment to restoring its non-negotiable national rights," the government source told SANA, adding that intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama was also part of the delegation. Syria and Israel opened direct negotiations after Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led coalition. Officials have met on several occasions, most recently in September, but Israel's insistence on a demilitarised zone in southern Syria has been a major stumbling block. Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the demand would endanger his country and urged Israel to respect the 1974 deal.

After Assad's ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.

Syria begins fresh round of talks with Israel to reach ‘balanced security agreement’

An Israeli drone strike targeted a military building in Syria, killing six Syrian soldiers. The attack, part of ongoing regional tensions, occurred amid escalating cross-border hostilities. Syrian authorities have condemned the strike, while Israel has not officially commented.

Israeli drone hits military building in Syria | Six Syrian soldiers killed in Israeli strike 

Israel launched a retaliatory wave of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah after a missile fired by the Iran-backed rebels struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. The rare direct hit injured six and briefly disrupted air traffic. While the Houthis claimed they used a hypersonic missile, Israeli media reports denied this.

Israel Strikes Yemen After Houthi Missile Hits Near Tel Aviv Airport

Israeli warplanes have launched a significant airstrike on a Syrian military airport, intensifying tensions in the region. The attack, which targeted key military infrastructure, has led to heightened concerns over escalating conflict between Israel and Syria. Reports suggest heavy damage to the facility, with casualties still unconfirmed. This development marks a major escalation in the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Israel strikes two Syrian military bases in Homs province despite EU's 'warning'

The Israeli Army has struck a residential building on the outskirts of Syria's Damascus, killing at least one. As per the Israeli Military, this is the same building which acted as a command center of the militant group- Palestinian Islamic Jihad.  Watch this video to find out more.

Syria: Israeli airstrike targets residential building in Damascus

Despite Israel's involvement in a multifront conflict in Lebanon and Gaza and its direct fire exchange with Iran, foreign investments in the nation increased in the first half of 2024.

Foreign Investments In Israel Picked Up | World Business Watch | WION News

Israel has now opened what it is terming as the fourth front along the Golan Heights against a new jihadi Syria. This came as the regime of Bashar Al-Assad collapsed in Syria, and rebels took control over the capital Damascus. In a region where history often repeats itself, will the fall of Assad mark the beginning of a lasting change? Or is West Asia entering a new and unpredictable phase? A prelude to more conflict?

Syria War: Israel Strikes Damascus, Seizes More Territory In Occupied Golan Heights | World DNA

Israel carried out yet another airstrike in the Syrian port of Latakia. According to the Syrian news agency Sana, the Israeli warplanes fired missiles on the port off the coastal city of Latakia on Tuesday morning causing large explosions and fires.

Israel carried out yet another airstrike in the Syrian port of Latakia

One Syrian soldier was killed and three others wounded in an Israeli strike on a military position near Damascus, state news agency SANA said Wednesday.

"Today at 01:30 (22:30 GMT) the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression with missile bursts from northern Galilee, targeting a unit of our air defence forces in the Nabi Habeel area," the military source said.

"Our air defence countered some of the missiles, which caused one martyr and wounded three soldiers."

Hezbollah positions near the town of Zabadani close to the Lebanese border were also targetted in the strike, according to the Britain-based monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Israel refused to confirm or deny the strike.

Israel has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011. It has targetted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

One Syrian soldier was killed and three others wounded in an Israeli strike on a military position near Damascus, state news agency SANA said Wednesday. "Today at 01:30 (22:30 GMT) the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression with missile bursts from northern Galilee, targeting a unit of our air defence forces in the Nabi Habeel area," the military source said.

One Syrian soldier was killed and three others wounded in an Israeli strike on a military position near Damascus, state news agency SANA said Wednesday. "Today at 01:30 (22:30 GMT) the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression with missile bursts from northern Galilee, targeting a unit of our air defence forces in the Nabi Habeel area," the military source said. "Our air defence countered some of the missiles, which caused one martyr and wounded three soldiers." Hezbollah positions near the town of Zabadani close to the Lebanese border were also targetted in the strike, according to the Britain-based monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Israel refused to confirm or deny the strike. Israel has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011. It has targetted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

One soldier killed, three wounded in Israeli strike near Damascus

In the past few years, Israel has acknowledged carrying out dozens of airstrikes in Syria, most of them aimed at suspected Iranian weapons shipments believed to be bound for Hezbollah.

Israeli jets fly over Beirut, explosions reported in Syria

Iran on Friday supported Syria's right to defend itself against aggression from Israel, state TV reported, accusing others of remaining silent over the attacks on Tehran's key regional ally.

"Iran strongly condemns ...(Israel's) attacks on Syria. The international community's silence encourages Israel's aggression. Syria has every right to defend itself," the broadcaster quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying.

Israel said it had attacked nearly all of Iran's military infrastructure in Syria on Thursday after Iranian forces fired rockets at Israeli-held territory for the first time, in the most extensive military exchange ever between the two adversaries.

The confrontation came two days after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 multinational agreement aimed it curbing Iran's nuclear programme.

Tehran and its allied Shi'ite Muslim militias back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Since its Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has refused to recognise Israel.

Iran accused others of remaining silent over the attacks on Tehran's key regional ally

Iran on Friday supported Syria's right to defend itself against aggression from Israel, state TV reported, accusing others of remaining silent over the attacks on Tehran's key regional ally. "Iran strongly condemns ...(Israel's) attacks on Syria. The international community's silence encourages Israel's aggression. Syria has every right to defend itself," the broadcaster quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying. Israel said it had attacked nearly all of Iran's military infrastructure in Syria on Thursday after Iranian forces fired rockets at Israeli-held territory for the first time, in the most extensive military exchange ever between the two adversaries. The confrontation came two days after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 multinational agreement aimed it curbing Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran and its allied Shi'ite Muslim militias back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Since its Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has refused to recognise Israel.

Iran says Syria has every right to defend itself against Israel

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

Israel&nbsp;shot down what it identified only as&nbsp;&quot;a target&quot; over the occupied Golan Heights on Thursday, hours after Syria accused them of hitting a military position near Damascus airport.

&quot;The Patriot Aerial Defence System intercepted a target above the Golan Heights,&quot; the official Israeli army Twitter account said, without elaborating.

A military spokeswoman refused to comment on Israeli media reports that the object was a drone.

Syria&#39;s state news agency SANA said earlier that several Israeli missiles hit near Damascus airport at dawn.

Israel&nbsp;has not confirmed or denied the reported Damascus attack.

But Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said it was consistent with&nbsp;Israel&#39;s policy to prevent arms transfers through to Hezbollah, while stopping short of confirming his country was behind the incident.

&quot;We are acting to prevent the transfer of sophisticated weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon by Iran,&quot; Katz told army radio.

&quot;When we receive serious information about the intention to transfer weapons to Hezbollah, we will act. This incident is totally consistent with this policy.&quot;

In Moscow, the Kremlin called for restraint and the foreign ministry condemned the attack.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not say if&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;had warned Moscow of the strike, saying only that their defence ministries &quot;are in constant dialogue&quot;.

In Moscow, visiting Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that the Jewish state would not allow &quot;concentration of Iranian or Hezbollah forces on the Golan border,&quot; Lieberman&rsquo;s office said.

Israel&nbsp;has conducted multiple air strikes in Syria since that country&#39;s civil war erupted in 2011, most of which it has said targeted arms convoys or warehouses of its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah, which is a key supporter of the Syrian regime.

Last month, it said it had carried out several strikes near the Syrian desert city of Palmyra, targeting what it said were &quot;advanced weapons&quot; belonging to Hezbollah.

The strikes prompted Syria to launch ground-to-air missiles, one of which was intercepted over Israeli territory in the most serious flare-up between the two neighbours since the Syrian civil war began six years ago.

Israel&nbsp;seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan 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 of the Golan are under Syrian control.

The two countries are still technically at war, although the border remained largely quiet for decades until 2011, when the Syrian conflict broke out.

(AFP)

This comes hours after Syria accused Israel of hitting a military position near Damascus airport

Israel shot down what it identified only as "a target" over the occupied Golan Heights on Thursday, hours after Syria accused them of hitting a military position near Damascus airport. "The Patriot Aerial Defence System intercepted a target above the Golan Heights," the official Israeli army Twitter account said, without elaborating. A military spokeswoman refused to comment on Israeli media reports that the object was a drone. Syria's state news agency SANA said earlier that several Israeli missiles hit near Damascus airport at dawn. Israel has not confirmed or denied the reported Damascus attack. But Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said it was consistent with Israel's policy to prevent arms transfers through to Hezbollah, while stopping short of confirming his country was behind the incident. "We are acting to prevent the transfer of sophisticated weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon by Iran," Katz told army radio. "When we receive serious information about the intention to transfer weapons to Hezbollah, we will act. This incident is totally consistent with this policy." In Moscow, the Kremlin called for restraint and the foreign ministry condemned the attack. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not say if Israel had warned Moscow of the strike, saying only that their defence ministries "are in constant dialogue". In Moscow, visiting Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that the Jewish state would not allow "concentration of Iranian or Hezbollah forces on the Golan border," Lieberman’s office said. Israel has conducted multiple air strikes in Syria since that country's civil war erupted in 2011, most of which it has said targeted arms convoys or warehouses of its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah, which is a key supporter of the Syrian regime. Last month, it said it had carried out several strikes near the Syrian desert city of Palmyra, targeting what it said were "advanced weapons" belonging to Hezbollah. The strikes prompted Syria to launch ground-to-air missiles, one of which was intercepted over Israeli territory in the most serious flare-up between the two neighbours since the Syrian civil war began six years ago. Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan 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 of the Golan are under Syrian control. The two countries are still technically at war, although the border remained largely quiet for decades until 2011, when the Syrian conflict broke out. (AFP)

Israel shoots down 'target' over Golan heights: Army

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Israel, Syria Tussle Over Control of Golan Heights

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Israel strikes two Syrian military bases in Homs province despite EU's 'warning'

Syria: Israeli airstrike targets residential building in Damascus

Foreign Investments In Israel Picked Up | World Business Watch | WION News

Foreign Investments In Israel Picked Up | World Business Watch | WION News

Syria War: Israel Strikes Damascus, Seizes More Territory In Occupied Golan Heights | World DNA

Israel carried out yet another airstrike in the Syrian port of Latakia

One soldier killed, three wounded in Israeli strike near Damascus

Israeli jets fly over Beirut, explosions reported in Syria

Iran says Syria has every right to defend itself against Israel

Israel retaliates after Syria fighting spillover in Golan Heights

Israel shoots down 'target' over Golan heights: Army