Israel accused Hezbollah of launching a rocket attack on a football field in Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killing 12 children and teenagers.
- This is the deadliest incident in the region since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
About Golan Heights
- The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau with an area of 1,800km² on the border between Israel and Syria in south-western Syria.
- Israel occupied the Golan Heights, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War.An armistice line was established and the region came under Israeli military control.
- Syria tried to retake the Golan Heights during the 1973 Middle East war. Syria was defeated in its attempt.
- Both countries signed an armistice in 1974 and a UN observer force has been in place on the ceasefire line since 1974.
- In 1981, Israel permanently acquired the territory of the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem in moves never recognized by most countries.
- The international community regards as disputed territory occupied by Israel whose status should be determined by negotiations between Israel and Syria.
- Attempts by the international community to bring Israel and Syria for negotiations have failed.
UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2017
Ques : Golan Heights touches the boundary of which of the following countries?
1. Syria
2. Jordan
3. Turkey
4. Israel.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans : c)
