UN investigators condemn Israeli operations in Syria: May amount to war crimes

Voonwala Niall O’Leary, a member of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said in Geneva on Tuesday that “the Commission is deeply concerned about the ongoing Israeli violations,” adding that “these acts may amount to war crimes.”

A spokesperson for the Commission of Inquiry, addressing the Human Rights Council, stated that the Commission is extremely concerned about the continuous Israeli violations in southern Syria, following field visits by its team to areas including Quneitra and Daraa.

He explained that residents of affected areas had reported their concerns to the Commission regarding the continued activity of the Israeli military, including incursions, patrols, and raids, as well as the establishment of temporary checkpoints and military infrastructure within Syrian territory, which has had negative repercussions on the lives of civilians.

He noted that Israeli forces had detained hundreds of Syrian civilians, including minors, clarifying that by June 2026, 49 individuals, including two children, were being held by Israeli forces, considering some of these practices to constitute “war crimes.”

He emphasized that violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity “are unacceptable and must cease,” warning that continued Israeli intervention is complicating the situation and undermining efforts to achieve stability.