Israeli forces on Thursday continued their expansion beyond the demilitarized zone, the Purple Line, to occupy new towns in the central sector of Quneitra governorate in Syria, Yemeni media YPA reported.
Local residents and media sources confirmed that the Israeli armed forces occupied 600 square kilometers of Syrian territory last week, establishing military posts in the countryside of Quneitra, Daraa and Damascus. Israeli forces also established 13 military points in southern Syria.
Syrian activists and media outlets said that Israeli soldiers and military equipment infiltrated the towns of Jabhat al-Hashab, Souza and the central sector of Quneitra.
The Syrian Observatory reported that the Israeli military forces demanded the handover of heavy weapons belonging to the residents of Jabhat al-Hashab within 48 hours.
“The occupation forces informed the residents that they are responsible for the area and are there to prevent Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from infiltrating there,” the observatory added.