UN Panel: Israeli Actions in Syria May Constitute War Crimes

A United Nations commission investigating Syria expressed grave concern Tuesday over Israeli military activities within Syrian territory, warning that some actions, including the detention of civilians, could amount to war crimes. Presenting an update to the UN Human Rights Council, Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin stated that Israeli military operations in southern Syria have become "increasingly continuous and entrenched," with repeated ground incursions, patrols, raids, and searches impacting civilians.

The Israeli mission in Geneva accused the commission of holding "a session to criticize Israel," asserting that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Syria. In a statement, Israel maintained it occupies a temporary buffer zone covering 0.1 percent of Syria's area to protect its citizens from confirmed security threats. Following the collapse of the Assad government in December 2024, Israeli forces entered a UN-monitored buffer zone, a move Israel described as temporary and necessary for border security during a political transition.

Since then, Israel has conducted hundreds of raids on Syrian military infrastructure and seized new positions within Syrian territory. Both the Syrian government and the UN have stated these deployments violate Syrian sovereignty and the 1974 disengagement agreement that followed the 1973 war, while Israel maintains its actions are essential for its security.

The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria reported documenting Israel's establishment of temporary checkpoints and fixed military infrastructure on Syrian land, particularly in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Daraa. Ní Aoláin told the council, "The commission is gravely concerned by the ongoing Israeli violations," adding that residents have expressed "astonishment" at Israeli actions during the country's reconstruction.

As of June, the commission identified 49 Syrians, including two children, detained by the Israeli military on Syrian territory and believed to have been transferred across the border. Ní Aoláin stated, "Such acts may amount to war crimes." In a statement on the sidelines of the session, the commission noted that some detainees are held incommunicado, raising concerns about potential torture or ill-treatment. The commission also described the Israeli military activities as causing civilian displacement and referred to the Israeli presence as "military occupation."

The commission agreed with UN Secretary-General António Guterres that violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable and must cease. Syria's representative welcomed the commission's findings, reaffirming Damascus's commitment to cooperating with UN human rights mechanisms while seeking accountability for violations under the previous government. The Syrian delegate also condemned the Israeli military operations, accusing Israel of violating international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement.