UN: Israeli Forces Presence in Golan Buffer Zone Violates 1974 Agreement

The Deputy Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, reiterated that the presence of Israeli occupation forces in the buffer zone in the Syrian Golan Heights constitutes a violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Lacroix explained in a statement to journalists at the UN headquarters in New York that the Syrian government has clearly expressed its support for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and its readiness to assume security responsibility throughout Syrian territories, including the areas where the mission is located, in accordance with international law and the 1974 agreement.

Lacroix continued: UNDOF is making every effort to ensure the disengagement in the buffer zone in the Golan Heights and continues to play its vital role there, noting that under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, only UN forces are allowed military presence in that area.

Lacroix pointed out that communication with the new Syrian authorities has provided an opportunity for the United Nations force to resume and expand its operations.