Satellite imagery from 7 July 2024 (top) shows the northern area of Al-Hamidiya before the Israeli military entered. On 17 December 2024 (middle), imagery shows heavy vehicle tracks and new berms, highlighted with orange dashed lines and box. Imagery from 23 August 2025 (bottom) shows 14 structures and the walls surrounding them (located within the yellow boxes on the image) have been destroyed. A new base – highlighted with an orange box – is visible less than 300m east of the destroyed structures. More berms were constructed since December 2024.
Amnesty calls for 'war crimes' probe into Israeli destruction of south Syria homes
Israel accused of unlawful home demolitions as talks with Damascus authorities continue
Last updated:
2 MIN READ
Satellite imagery from 7 July 2024 (top) shows Rassim al-Rawadi village. On 17 December 2024 (bottom), yellow squares highlight six structures that appear heavily damaged or destroyed. Newly built berms are highlighted with orange dashed lines. Trees are removed on the west side of the main road.
Amnesty.org
Amnesty International said on Thursday that the Israeli army's destruction of civilian homes in southern Syria since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad should be investigated as "war crimes".
Israel moved its forces into a UN-patrolled demilitarised zone on the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights after Assad's December 2024 toppling by Islamist forces whom it considers militants.
It has also launched hundreds of strikes on Syria and carries out regular incursions into the country's south where it demands a demilitarised zone.
"The Israeli military's deliberate destruction of civilian homes" in southern Syria's Quneitra province since December 2024 "with no absolute military necessity, should be investigated as war crimes", Amnesty said in a statement.
"Israel has an obligation to make reparations for these serious violations of international humanitarian law," the rights group added.
Amnesty said that the day Assad fell, Israeli forces entered three villages and towns in the UN-demilitarised zone in Quneitra province, "conducting home raids and ordering residents to leave".
"Over the following six months, the Israeli military destroyed or damaged at least 23 civilian structures in three villages," Amnesty said, adding that witnesses described the buildings as "their and their neighbours' homes".
The rights group said it used satellite imagery to verify damage and destruction to 23 structures in the villages.
Satellite imagery from 7 July 2024 (top) shows Rassim al-Rawadi village. On 17 December 2024 (bottom), yellow squares highlight six structures that appear heavily damaged or destroyed. Newly built berms are highlighted with orange dashed lines. Trees are removed on the west side of the main road.
Security agreement
"Securing Israel's border cannot be used to justify bulldozing and blowing up people's homes and villages on the territory of another country," Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa said in the statement.
Israeli operations in south Syria have continued even as the new authorities in Damascus have held talks with Israeli officials in recent months as they edge towards a security agreement after decades of hostilities.
Israel has occupied most of Syria's Golan Heights since 1967, annexing it in 1981 in a move not recognised by most of the international community.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Network Links
GN StoreAbout Gulf NewsTerms & ConditionsReach by GNSitemapContact usPrivacy PolicyGN FocusHave your sayWork with usAdvertise with usGulf News epaperPrinting Services
Download our app
© Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2026. All rights reserved.