Israel expands control in Golan Heights following Syrian regime's decline

The Golan Heights is a strategic plateau located in southwestern Syria, bordering Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. Israel has occupied the area since the 1967 Six-Day War and unilaterally annexed it in 1981, a move not recognized by most of the international community. Recently, Israel expanded its control into the demilitarized buffer zone following the weakening of the Syrian regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that this action is crucial for national security, while the move has drawn condemnation from regional powers and the UN. The Golan Heights is important to Israel for its military advantage, fertile land, and water resources. The area is home to around 23,000 Druze residents and 30 Israeli settlements, with plans to increase the Jewish population significantly in the coming years.