[Salon] Israeli army incursion reaches 25 km into southern Syria, nearing Damascus: Reuters and war monitor say." (12/10/24.)

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🔴 LIVE UPDATES: Israeli army incursion reaches 25 km into southern Syria, nearing Damascus: Reuters and war monitor say

An Israeli military incursion into southern Syria has advanced to about 25 km southwest of Damascus, reaching the town of Qatana, Reuters and war monitor reported.

Ahram Online provides the latest updates on the rapidly evolving situation in Syria following the fall of Damascus and the collapse of Bashar Al-Assad's government, as events unfold on Tuesday, 10 December.

10:31 Israel denied reports that its tanks have reached Qatana, which is 10km (six miles) into Syrian territory, east of the demilitarised zone separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, and on the approach to Damascus, according to The Guardian.

Reuters, citing Syrian security sources, as well as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli troops had nearly reached Qatana.

Qatana is about 25 km (16 miles) southwest of Syria’s capital.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel for almost 60 years, will remain part of Israel “for eternity”.

Netanyahu said control of the high ground “ensures our security and sovereignty” after he had ordered troops to move into a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli-occupied territory from Syria.

10:27 An Israeli military official told AP that troops plan to seize a buffer zone inside Syria as well as “a few more points that have strategic meaning.”

Israel has a long history of seizing territory during wars with Arab countries and occupying it indefinitely,

10:00 Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s incursion into Syria and a wave of Israeli airstrikes launched on the country.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “the assaults carried out by the Israeli occupation government, including the seizure of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, and the targeting of Syrian territory confirm Israel’s continued violation of the principles of international law and its determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity.”

09:40 The Syrian Civil Defense has ended its search for possible remaining detainees at the infamous Sednaya prison, adding that it had not uncovered any “evidence of undiscovered secret cells or basements.”

In a statement, the group also known as the White Helmets said “Specialized teams from The White Helmets conducted a thorough search of all sections, facilities, basements, courtyards, and surrounding areas of the prison.

These operations were carried out with the assistance of individuals familiar with the prison and its layout. However, no evidence of undiscovered secret cells or basements was found”.

The teams inspected all entrances, exits, ventilation shafts, sewage systems, water pipes, electrical wiring, and surveillance camera cables.

Despite these extensive efforts, no hidden or sealed areas were identified, it added.

The group said it “shared the profound disappointment of the families of the thousands who remain missing and whose fates remain unknown” while urging social media users to be mindful of the widespread misinformation and rumours circulating about prisons and detainees.

This picture shows empty cells at Sednaya prison in Damascus. AFP

09:35 A monitor of Syria's war said it had recorded more than 300 Israeli strikes since rebels toppled the country's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad over the weekend.

"The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has been able to document around 310 strikes" carried out by "Israeli warplanes" since the announcement of the fall of Assad on Sunday morning, the monitor said.

The strikes struck airports and warehouses, aircraft squadrons, radars, military signal stations, and multiple weapons and ammunition depots over the last 48 hours, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory said in a statement.

AFP journalists heard loud explosions in Damascus earlier today.

09:30 Reuters and a Syrian opposition war monitor said that Israel’s ground invasion into Syria has now reached about 25km (15 miles) southwest of Damascus.

Israel now reaches the town of Qatana, a Syrian security source told Reuters.

The move places Israeli troops 10 km into Syrian territory, east of the demilitarized zone separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.

There was no immediate comment from the insurgent groups — led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS – that have taken control of Damascus.

Reporting for Al Jazeera from Damascus, Resul Serdar Atas writes that “the repeated Israeli attacks in and around Damascus and other regions create a huge challenge for the opposition in Syria to preserve the state apparatus and secure a smooth transition.”

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles line near the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. AF{P

09:00 Since 27 November, between 800,000 and one million people have been displaced from many areas across Syria, the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) said.

This figure includes over 150,000 people experiencing secondary displacement.

"Women and girls comprise nearly 50 per cent of those forced to flee their homes," the UNHCR added in it's report.

In parallel, there are indications that some internally displaced people (IDPs) are returning to areas of origin, including Aleppo.

"There is a remarkable opportunity for Syria to move toward peace and for its people to begin returning home. But the situation is still uncertain," the UN Refugee Agency said.

Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries are among those who are celebrating. "However, Syrian refugees remain cautious, concerned as to how the situation will develop and what the future will hold."

Source: UNHCR

It further explained that with shattered infrastructure and 90% of the population relying on humanitarian aid, urgent assistance is required.