May 2 Israeli forces fired artillery shells at villages in Syria’s Quneitra countryside, marking another episode in a pattern of escalating violations along the ceasefire line. SANA reported that shells struck areas near the forest outside Kodna village and Tel Ahmar al-Sharqi.
Syria TV cited local sources who said four shells hit the Harash Kodna area, while an additional shell targeted Tel Ahmar al-Sharqi. No casualties were immediately reported. Authorities in Damascus said the shelling reflects ongoing violations of Syrian sovereignty. The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the occupied Syrian Golan, where activity has intensified in recent months.
Daily Violations Reported Across the Region
Reports from local monitors and human rights groups indicate that such incidents are no longer isolated. Raids, home searches and arrests of civilians, including children and shepherds, have become frequent across southern Syria.
The Register Center for Human Rights documented 254 violations in April 2026 alone. According to its report, 213 of those occurred in Quneitra province, making it the most affected area. The group said ground incursions accounted for 76 cases, while reconnaissance flights and aerial activity followed closely.
The report also recorded 15 abductions, 23 temporary checkpoints and 19 home raids. In one incident on April 3, a teen Osama al-Fahd, was killed while herding sheep in Quneitra’s southern countryside. Human rights observers noted that many violations targeted agricultural land and livestock, further disrupting civilian livelihoods in already fragile communities.
UNDOF Patrols Document Civilian Complaints
Amid these developments, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) increased patrols in affected areas, seeking to document conditions and gather testimony from residents. A recent patrol visited villages in the Yarmouk Basin, including Jamla, Abdeen and Arda, where peacekeepers met with families and recorded the names of five detainees reportedly kidnapped by Israeli forces.
According to local reporting, the patrol also collected accounts of repeated incursions and livestock thefts. UNDOF conducted similar visits in recent months, including inquiries into complaints of grazing restrictions and stealing livestock near newly established fenced areas. While the mission’s mandate focuses on monitoring the ceasefire agreement, its field visits have become a key channel for documenting civilian experiences in areas along the disengagement line.
Infrastructure Damage Raises Further Concerns
Beyond shelling and arrests, recent actions have included the demolition of civilian structures. On April 24, Israeli forces destroyed three buildings in Quneitra, including a mosque, courthouse and museum, according to regional sources.
The demolitions took place near a military line known locally as Sufa 53, where activity has increased, including construction of fortified roads and embankments. Human rights groups say such measures, combined with ongoing military operations, point to a sustained escalation. Observers note the absence of clear signs of de-escalation, raising concerns about continued instability in southern Syria.
