UN commission visits Quneitra to investigate Israeli violations
Quneitra, July 4 (SANA)A delegation from theUN Independent International Commission of Inquiryon Syria visited Quneitra province on Saturday to document and investigate Israeli violations of international law in the area.
The Commission delegation, which included commissioners Monia Ammar and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin along with members of the investigation team, conducted field visits to the towns of Al-Hamidiyah, Umm al-Azam and Jabata al-Khashab, where it assessed damage from Israeli violations, including harm to livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and livestock, as well as the demolition of several homes,Quneitragovernorate said in a statement.
During a meeting with Quneitra Governor Ghassan Ahmad al-Sheikh, the delegation outlined its mandate to document and investigateIsraeli violationsin preparation for reports under UN mechanisms.
The governor briefed the delegation on the impact of Israeli violations on villages and towns across the province, saying they have affected residents’ lives and stability, including damage to the agricultural and livestock sectors as well as psychological and social effects, according to the statement.
The visit comes as Israeli violations in Quneitra have intensified since December 2024, leaving growing humanitarian, economic and security consequences for residents through repeated military incursions, arrests, attacks on civilians and damage to infrastructure.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria was established on Aug. 22, 2011, by theUN Human Rights Councilto investigate alleged violations of international human rights law in Syria since March 2011 and to present public reports on its findings.
According to the Quneitra Information Directorate, Israeli violations have included the arbitrary detention of 47 Syrian civilians since December 2024, the demolition of 16 homes in Al-Hamidiyah following the forced displacement of residents, and the establishment of nine forward military positions inside Syrian territory in Quneitra and neighboringDaraaprovince.
Israel continues to violate the1974 Disengagement Agreementthrough repeated incursions, assaults on civilians, raids, arrests, land bulldozing, and shelling attacks.
Syria has consistently called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its territory, stressing that all Israeli violations in southern Syria are null and void underinternational law. Damascus has also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities, deter Israeli violations, and compel Israel to fully withdraw from southern Syrian territory.