The Guardian: Israel Deploys Border Reinforcements as Syrians Flee Strikes

Efforts to facilitate a broad ceasefire in southwest Syria broke down at the end of June, prompting the Syrian military to initiate a fresh round of air raids in the Daraa province – an area inside the de-escalation zone agreed on by the US president, the Russian president and the Jordanian government. The Syrian government claims to control of more than half of the province. The increase in attacks contributes to further displacement, as approximately 11,000 refugees reached the Israeli border fence next to the Golan Heights on Sunday, “judging it the safest place to avoid Syrian air force raids.” Israel has deployed artillery and armored reinforcements along its border with Syria in response, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises to continue defending borders and “provide humanitarian aid as best as we can, we will not allow entry to our territories and demand strict adherence to the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement with the Syrian army.” As many as 115 civilians, by some estimates, have been killed during air raids on the province since mid-June. Syria’s primary opposition group, the Syrian Negotiation Commission, has implored the international community to speak out against the violence and breach of the de-escalation zone. – YaleGlobal