DARAA, Syria – Israeli forces entered western Daraa in southern Syria on Thursday morning, marking the first reported ground incursion into the region in nearly two months, local sources told +963.
A local resident said that seven Israeli military vehicles carrying dozens of soldiers crossed into Syrian territory from the Jumla axis toward the village of Saysoun, where they set up a temporary checkpoint before moving to a former Syrian military position.
Some soldiers climbed a nearby hill overlooking the village water reservoir and began surveillance operations using binoculars and communication equipment.
Others were seen monitoring the Jubayliyah Dam Forest area and Tell al-Jumou’, both of which were sites of the last reported Israeli incursion following Eid al-Fitr, which resulted in clashes with local armed men. That incident left nine people dead, and several others wounded.
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Earlier this week, a separate local source reported that a large Israeli military convoy, including Merkava tanks, had unexpectedly gathered along the road between al-Hamidiyah and the provincial governorate building in Quneitra, southwestern Syria.
The Israeli army reportedly set up roadblocks and closed the route between Salam City and al-Hamidiyah, home to its largest base in the region.
In mid-May, the Israeli military declared the Tel al-Ahmar al-Gharbi area in rural Quneitra a closed military zone, prohibiting civilian access. It later burned agricultural fields surrounding the hill, according to local sources.
Farmers were warned by an Israeli officer that the area had become a restricted military zone and entry was strictly forbidden, the source added.
