Will UN forces stay longer in Golan after the new resolution?

On June 30, 2025, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2782, extending the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights for six months, until December 31, 2025. This extension underscores the continued fragility of the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and the critical role UNDOF plays in monitoring the buffer zone established after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Despite this, ongoing Israeli military activity, settlement expansion, and restrictions on local populations raise serious human rights concerns and complicate the mission’s operations. This analysis explores the security, political, and human rights dimensions of the mandate extension and its implications for stability in the region.

What is the background and role of UNDOF?

UNDOF was established in May 1974 following the disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria that ended the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Its mandate includes maintaining the ceasefire, supervising the buffer zone (area of separation), and overseeing limitations on military deployments in the Golan Heights. The mission operates in a volatile environment, including the strategically significant Mount Hermon, the highest UN observation post.

The mandate is renewed every six months, reflecting the ongoing instability and unresolved political status of the Golan Heights. The latest renewal, Resolution 2782, reiterates the obligation of both parties to respect the 1974 ceasefire agreement and exercise maximum restraint to prevent breaches.

How has the security situation evolved?

The Secretary-General’s report covering November 2024 to February 2025 highlighted “multiple significant violations” of the disengagement agreement. Notably, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) increased their presence in the area of separation, constructing 10 new positions and occupying two houses, actions that violate the 1974 agreement. Satellite imagery confirmed the expansion of Israeli outposts, including on Mount Hermon, raising concerns about militarization and destabilization.

UNDOF received 18 complaints from Syrian residents alleging IDF actions such as preventing access to homes, raiding houses, and firing on protesters. These activities exacerbate tensions and pose risks to civilians and UN personnel alike. The Security Council emphasized the need for adequate resources and security measures to ensure UNDOF’s safe operation.

What are the human rights concerns in the occupied Golan?

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported an increase in Israeli settlements and settler population in the occupied Syrian Golan, accompanied by commercial developments. These actions impact the human rights of the Syrian population, including their rights to adequate food, health, housing, and a clean environment. The Human Rights Council adopted Resolution A/HRC/RES/58/26 condemning Israeli practices affecting Syrian citizens and calling for compliance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 497 (1981).

The expansion of settlements and infrastructure contravenes international law and contributes to the displacement and marginalization of the indigenous Syrian population. Restrictions on movement, access to resources, and economic opportunities further undermine their human rights and dignity.

What are the political positions regarding the Golan heights?

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reiterated Israel’s refusal to negotiate the status of the Golan Heights despite expressing willingness to normalize relations with Syria. Sa’ar stated:

“Israel is interested in establishing formal diplomatic relations with Syria, but will not negotiate the fate of the Golan Heights in any peace agreement”.

This position reflects Israel’s firm stance on retaining control over the territory, which it annexed in 1981—a move not recognized internationally and condemned by UN Security Council Resolution 497 as null and void. Syria continues to claim sovereignty over the Golan, and the UN maintains that the territory is occupied Syrian land.

What challenges does UNDOF face in fulfilling its mandate?

UNDOF operates under complex and dangerous conditions. The entry of IDF troops into the demilitarized zone following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 significantly altered the situation, violating Security Council resolutions and complicating UNDOF’s operations. The mission faces restrictions imposed by parties, security threats, and the need to navigate a volatile geopolitical environment.

Ensuring the safety and freedom of movement for UNDOF personnel remains a priority. The Security Council has called for sufficient capacity and resources for the mission to fulfill its mandate “in a safe and secure way”. However, increased militarization and violations by Israel challenge UNDOF’s ability to maintain stability effectively.

What are the broader security implications?

The Golan Heights continues to be one of the most sensitive and volatile flashpoints in the Middle East, with profound implications for regional stability and security. The territory, occupied by Israel since 1967 and annexed in 1981—a move not recognized by the international community—remains a contested zone between Israel and Syria. The recent developments, including increased Israeli military presence and expanded settlement activities, have significantly heightened tensions, threatening to unravel the fragile ceasefire that has held since the 1974 disengagement agreement.

One of the primary security concerns stems from the increased militarization of the area by Israel. The construction of new military positions and outposts, particularly in the buffer zone and on strategic locations such as Mount Hermon, signals a shift toward a more assertive Israeli posture. This enhanced military footprint not only violates the terms of the 1974 agreement but also risks provoking retaliatory actions from Syria or its allies, including Iran and Hezbollah, who maintain a presence and influence in the region. The militarization thus contributes to an arms race dynamic, where each side feels compelled to bolster its defenses, increasing the likelihood of miscalculations or unintended clashes.

Furthermore, the expansion of Israeli settlements and infrastructure in the occupied Golan exacerbates the political and humanitarian dimensions of the conflict. These settlements are viewed by Syria and much of the international community as illegal under international law, and their growth undermines prospects for a negotiated settlement. The settlements also disrupt the lives of the indigenous Syrian population, infringing on their rights to adequate housing, access to resources, and freedom of movement. This fuels resentment and can serve as a catalyst for unrest or insurgent activities, further destabilizing the region.

Failure to uphold the ceasefire and respect UNDOF’s mandate risks undoing decades of relative calm in the Golan Heights. Renewed hostilities would not only endanger the lives of civilians residing in and around the area but could also trigger a wider conflict involving multiple state and non-state actors. Such an escalation would have severe humanitarian consequences, including displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life, further destabilizing an already fragile region.

The broader security implications of the situation in the Golan Heights are profound. The increased militarization and settlement expansion threaten to destabilize a long-standing ceasefire, while the region’s entanglement in wider Middle Eastern conflicts raises the stakes considerably. The international community, through mechanisms like UNDOF and the Security Council, plays a vital role in mitigating these risks. However, lasting stability will ultimately depend on political solutions that address the core issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights, paving the way for peace and security in the Golan Heights and the broader Middle East.

What does the mandate extension mean for the future of the Golan?

The unanimous extension of UNDOF’s mandate until December 31, 2025, reaffirms the international community’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Golan Heights. However, persistent violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement, increased militarization, and human rights infringements highlight the fragility of the situation.

For UNDOF to effectively fulfill its mandate, all parties must respect the ceasefire, refrain from provocative military actions, and allow unhindered UN operations. Moreover, addressing the human rights concerns of the Syrian population in the occupied Golan is essential to achieving lasting peace.

The political impasse over the status of the Golan Heights remains a significant obstacle. Without progress toward a negotiated settlement that respects international law and the rights of all affected populations, the risk of renewed conflict and human suffering will persist.