UNDOF opens an investigation into the killing of a young man by Israeli fire in Quneitra

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has opened an investigation into the killing of a Syrian youth in Quneitra governorate, after a civilian vehicle was targeted by an Israeli tank shell, at a time when Israeli incursions and violations are escalating along the ceasefire line.

UN Investigation and Concern of Violations

UNDOF said in a statement published last night that military observers spotted an Israeli tank on the "Alfa" side firing two shells across the ceasefire line, without specifying the location of their landing.

UNIFIL confirmed the launch of an official investigation into the incident, expressing concern over the continued violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and calling for the immediate cessation of all actions that contravene the agreement.

It noted that it was aware of reports that a young Syrian man was killed near Al-Rafid as a result of Israeli tank fire, stressing that the targeting of civilians is "unacceptable" and is a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Condemnation of Syria: 'Treacherous crime'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law, reflecting the continuation of "aggressive policies" that target civilians and endanger their lives, in clear violation of all international norms and conventions.

The ministry expressed Syria's condemnation of this crime, calling on the international community to assume its legal and humanitarian responsibilities, and to take immediate measures to stop these repeated violations.

For his part, the director of the Quneitra Media Directorate, Mohammed al-Said, described the targeting as a "treacherous crime" committed "in cold blood", stressing that the incident is in addition to the series of Israeli violations in the area.

 El-Said stressed the need for Israel to abide by the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, warning against "procrastination" in adhering to security arrangements.

Incursions into Isolation Measures for Villages

During the same day, Quneitra witnessed a series of Israeli incursions into the northern and southern countryside of the governorate, during which temporary checkpoints were erected and passers-by were searched without registering arrests.

In a separate incident, the Israeli army released a child from the village of Ruwaihina hours after he was arrested while grazing livestock, in a similar incident to the arrest of two other children at the end of March.

According to local sources, Israeli forces are moving to isolate a number of villages by closing main and secondary roads with earthen berms, including the roads connecting Al-Asab, Koudna, Ruyhaina and um al-Azzam, in a step that is considered an extension of the restrictions inside the buffer zone.

On  Saturday, an Israeli force consisting of seven military vehicles penetrated the road connecting Taranja and Jabata al-Khataba in the northern countryside of Quneitra, where they set up a temporary checkpoint and searched passers-by before withdrawing without registering arrests.

Popular anger is a firm Syrian position

The people of the southern countryside of Quneitra mourned the body of the young man who was killed yesterday when he was targeted by an Israeli tank shell, amid a state of grief and public anger, and an affirmation of the rejection of repeated violations against civilians in the governorate.

Syria asserts that all Israeli actions in southern Syria are "null and void" and calls on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and deter continued Israeli practices.