Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that the 1974 separation of forces agreement between Israel and Syria had effectively ended when he visited the Golan Heights accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Referring to the agreement, Netanyahu said: “Last night it collapsed. The Syrian army left its positions. We ordered the Israeli army to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force would settle right next to Israel’s border .”
He added that the situation was temporary “until a suitable settlement is found,” but added that Israel would do whatever is necessary to defend its borders.
The agreement after the 1973 Yom Kippur War created a buffer zone along the border patrolled by a UN peacekeeping mission.
Israel captured the Goals Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed the region in 1981, a move not recognized under international law. The area is of great importance both militarily and because of its water sources.
