Gaza Herald – Geneva – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented approximately 280 incidents of Israeli armed intrusion into Syrian territory throughout the month of September. This figure represents the highest monthly count recorded since the beginning of the current year.
Spokesperson Shabana Mantoo stated in press comments that these operations included home raids, movement restrictions, harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and the destruction of livelihoods. The documentation was compiled through monitoring open-source materials.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed concern regarding the continued impact of Israeli military operations on civilians in southern Syria. He emphasized that outside the context of hostilities, lethal force may only be used when unavoidable to protect life.
Mantoo noted that at least 49 Syrians remain detained by Israel, though the office cannot independently verify the total number of detainees. She added that at least 14 individuals were released during August and September after prolonged detention, despite new cases being recorded.
Reports received by the office detail the shooting and temporary detention of a farmer with disabilities in Jabata al-Khashab, north of Quneitra, on Wednesday. Additionally, Mohammed Ayman Al-Dib (22) was killed by Israeli forces near Al-Hamidiya village in southern Syria on Monday.
The available information did not indicate that warning shots were fired prior to his death. Turk called for a swift and impartial investigation into the incident, stressing that authorities must respect the rights and guarantees of all detainees under international human rights and humanitarian law.
The High Commissioner urged Israeli authorities to cease raiding Syrian villages, harassing civilians, restricting their movement, detaining them, and destroying their crops. He insisted on full compliance with international legal standards regarding the protection of civilian populations.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
