Riyadh: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait have condemned a recent field tour by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to occupied territory in southern Syria, labeling it a 'blatant violation' of Syria's sovereignty and international law. The Saudi Foreign Ministry criticized the continued actions by the Israeli occupation in the region, highlighting recent airstrikes in the Gaza Strip and the transgression into Syrian territory as significant violations.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Saudi ministry called upon the international community to address Israel's violations of international laws and to ensure compliance with the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria. The recent airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians and injuries to over 70 others, further exacerbating tensions.
A statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry described Netanyahu's visit as a 'dangerous threat to regional security,' urging international bodies to compel Israel to adhere to UN resolutions, particularly the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Qatar reaffirmed its support for Syria's sovereignty and the aspirations of the Syrian people for security and stability.
Kuwait also expressed strong condemnation of Netanyahu's actions, citing the visit as a 'flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty' and a breach of international law. The Kuwaiti government emphasized its support for Syria's territorial integrity and called on the UN Security Council to ensure adherence to the 1974 agreements.
The field visit by Netanyahu, accompanied by key Israeli officials, to the Israeli-seized buffer zone in southern Syria, was denounced by Damascus as 'illegitimate.' The Syrian Foreign Ministry claimed the visit aimed to establish a new status quo contrary to UN Security Council resolutions and perpetuate violations of Syrian territory.
Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, Israel expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights, including the demilitarized buffer zone, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.