Residents of Hader, in northern Quneitra countryside in southern Syria, condemned Israeli violations in their town and warned that continued Israeli incursions would not go unanswered.
Enab Baladi’s correspondent reported that residents issued a statement on July 11 at the request of a broad segment of the town’s population to express their rejection of the Israeli army’s practices.
According to the residents’ statement, the Israeli violations include raiding homes, violating their sanctity, and periodically terrorizing children and women. Israeli forces have also moved through agricultural land and confiscated individual weapons carried by residents “to protect their honor, defend their land, and preserve their dignity against anyone who attempts to attack them or undermine their principles,” the statement said.
The statement explained that the weapons were “not carried to intimidate anyone,” adding that residents could give them up if their dignity and honor were protected and their sacred sites and land were not violated.
It added that members of the Druze community “have long carried a message of peace toward those who seek peace among all peoples with whom we share the values of humanity.”
The statement warned that continued practices, violations, and attacks would be met not with silence and submission, but with legitimate self-defense, regardless of the cost.
It called on members of the Druze community in Palestine, the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, Lebanon, and Syria to act responsibly.
The statement said there were many ways to maintain security without terrorizing children, intimidating women, or violating the sanctity of homes.
A Natural Response to Israeli Violations
Local sources told Enab Baladi that the statement issued by Hader residents represented a natural response to a series of violations and restrictions imposed by Israeli forces on the town’s population.
The sources said the town has been subjected to raids, house searches, the arrest of several people, and indiscriminate gunfire, causing panic and fear, particularly among children and women.
They added that most searches take place after midnight and noted that 13 detainees are being held in Israeli prisons without trial.
The sources said Israeli forces had prevented residents from harvesting their crops and closed most agricultural roads. They also prevented shepherds from grazing livestock on the slopes of Mount Hermon and opened fire on them, injuring one shepherd.
The sources said Israeli practices were increasing significantly and could lead to serious consequences.
Continuing Incursions
The Israeli army continues to carry out incursions into southern Syria, including daily search campaigns, arrests, land leveling, and the establishment of checkpoints.
Israeli forces entered the villages of Maariya in western Daraa countryside and al-Basali in southern Quneitra countryside on Tuesday, July 14.
Enab Baladi’s correspondent reported that an Israeli force entered Maariya from the al-Jazirah military barracks and withdrew after opening the road leading to the barracks.
Another force entered al-Basali in southern Quneitra countryside and searched several civilian homes before withdrawing from the area.
The correspondent said the Israeli army fired illumination flares early Tuesday over Asha and al-Asbah, near the barbed-wire fence southwest of Quneitra governorate. No arrests were reported during the movements.
Israel has maintained several military bases in southern Syria since December 8, 2024. Most are concentrated in Quneitra, near the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, and Israel has refused to withdraw from the area.
Damascus has called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and considers the Israeli presence in the area an occupation, a violation of international law, and an infringement of Syrian sovereignty.
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