Syria's new leadership has condemned a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence and Foreign Ministers to southern Syria, considering it a serious violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial unity, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said on November 19.

The ministry confirmed the visit represents a new attempt to impose “faits accomplis" contradicting UN Security Council resolutions, falling within occupation policies aimed at entrenching aggression and continuing violations of Syrian territory.

Syria renewed its firm demand for Israeli occupation withdrawal from Syrian territory, confirming all measures taken by the occupation in southern Syria are null, void and have no legal effect according to international law.

The ministry called on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities, deter occupation practices and compel complete withdrawal from southern Syria and return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, confirming Syria continues defending its sovereignty and inalienable rights until full restoration of its territory.

The Israeli PM's social media account showed several images and videos of his visit to the occupied zone on the Syrian side of the agreed borders, noting "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the buffer zone in Syria, with Defense Minister Katz, Foreign Affairs Minister Sa'ar, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Zamir, ISA Director Zini, National Security Council Acting Director Reich, Israeli Ambassador to the US Leiter and others.

He reportedly said "We attach immense importance to our capability here, both defensive and offensive, safeguarding our Druze allies, and especially safeguarding the State of Israel and its northern border opposite the Golan Heights."

Israeli troops have taken more of Syrian territory in recent months, most notably following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024.

Since then, Israel has expanded its occupation beyond the Golan Heights into the demilitarised buffer zone in southwestern Syria, with further advances reported in November 2025 towards Damascus.

On November 18, Israeli forces reportedly advanced into the village of Breiqa in southern Quneitra, marking one of the latest ground incursions and breaches of Syrian sovereignty.

According to the state SANA in Quneitra, an Israeli force, consisting of a Hilux pickup truck and a van, entered the town of Breiqa and then withdrew shortly afterwards.

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