The United Nations has issued a fresh warning over Israel’s continued military operations in southern Syria, calling on this Wednesday Tel Aviv to respect the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and international law.
The United Nations (UN) declared that the existence of border crossings, bombings, drone overflights and restrictions on civilian movement violate Syrian sovereignty and exacerbate an already fragile security situation.
The organization reiterated its call for Israel to cease operations that breach the disengagement accord established five decades ago following the Yom Kippur War.
RELATED: UN Experts Accuse Israel of Escalating Hostilities in Lebanon
Despite the security concerns, the UN acknowledged signs of economic hope for Syria. The country has signed cooperation agreements with France in transportation, infrastructure and investments, reviewed the bilateral trade framework with Lebanon, and discussed with Iraq the repair of the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline.
“The announcement by the U.S. to remove Syria from the list of ‘state sponsors of terrorism’ also reflects increased international confidence in the country’s recovery,” the entity said.
Syria: “The crisis is changing, but it is far from over.”
15.6 million people — nearly two thirds of the population — still need humanitarian assistance, @UNOCHA warns, urging the Security Council to ensure sustained & predictable support. https://t.co/GkJ1VWOV4L pic.twitter.com/ndo2B1XZEI
— United Nations (@UN) July 21, 2026
Since December 2024, approximately 1.7 million refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced persons have returned to their homes. However, the reality remains harsh: 5.5 million people are still displaced within Syria and more than 6 million refugees remain abroad. Around 15.6 million people continue to need humanitarian assistance, representing a staggering proportion of the country’s pre-war population.
Call for Respect Sovereignty
Syria is taking firm steps in its political transition, the UN noted, but continues to struggle under the weight of insecurity, economic crisis and a relentless humanitarian emergency. The organization emphasized that the country stands at a crucial stage of transition from emergency assistance toward recovery and self-sufficiency.
The success of Syria’s transition will depend on establishing an inclusive and accountable governance system, according to UN Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone and Edem Wosornu from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Both diplomats stressed that tangible improvement in the population’s living conditions and continued support from the international community are essential prerequisites for lasting stability.
The Israeli operations in southern Syria have drawn particular concern due to their proximity to the demilitarized zone established under the 1974 agreement, which had largely held for decades until recent escalations.
The UN’s call for respect of international law reflects broader concerns about the normalization of military operations that bypass established frameworks for conflict resolution. The organization has documented repeated violations of Syrian airspace and territory by Israeli forces, including airstrikes targeting what Israel describes as Iranian-linked positions.
The humanitarian dimension remains the most pressing challenge, with millions of Syrians still dependent on aid for basic survival. The UN has repeatedly called for increased funding for humanitarian operations in Syria, warning that budget shortfalls are forcing reductions in food assistance, healthcare and shelter programs for vulnerable populations.
The fate of missing people is crucial for #Syria’s future, @volker_turk tells the @UN Security Council.
Victims’ right to truth is essential for reconciliation and rebuilding trust in State institutions. Transitional justice must be fair, inclusive and responsive to the needs of… pic.twitter.com/TZMpVWdEam
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) July 21, 2026
The return of 3.6 million people since December 2024 represents progress, but the UN cautioned that returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified conditions that cannot be met while military operations continue and basic services remain severely degraded across large parts of the country. In this sense, the organization called on all parties to prioritize civilian protection and facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas in need.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.