United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN will submit a detailed report to the Security Council documenting what he described as Israeli violations in Syria. At the same time, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa says he is working towards a security agreement with Israel. 

Speaking at a news conference in Damascus on Sunday, Guterres said violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity were "unacceptable" and urged Israel to comply with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. The agreement between Israel and Syria established a ceasefire, separated forces and created a UN-monitored buffer zone in the Golan Heights.

Rising tensions on the border

Relations between the two countries have remained strained since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024, when rebel forces led by al-Sharaa took control of Damascus.

In the aftermath, Israeli forces expanded their presence in parts of southern Syria, moving into the demilitarised buffer zone and taking control of strategic positions, including the Syrian side of Mount Hermon overlooking the capital.

Israel has since carried out repeated air strikes and military operations in Syria, saying it is acting to protect its security interests and the Druze minority.

On Sunday, Syria's state news agency SANA reported that Israeli shelling struck the village of Maariyah, destroying an electricity transformer and cutting power to nearby homes.

Guterres: Syrians remain determined despite suffering

Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for a three-day visit and met President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, reaffirming the UN's support for Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity while calling on the international community to back the country's recovery.

Guterres said the suffering endured by Syrians had not broken their determination to pursue their aspirations. He also warned that UN humanitarian assistance is currently meeting only around 20% of Syria's needs, underscoring the scale of the country's humanitarian crisis.

The UN chief said a visit to the notorious Sednaya Prison had revealed the horrors suffered by detainees, where tens of thousands of people were reportedly killed and tortured.

He said Syria's transitional justice process was underway and stressed the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed during the conflict. Guterres also welcomed recent steps to ease sanctions but said all remaining restrictions should be lifted immediately to support the country's recovery.

He called for Syria to be reintegrated into the regional and global economies, with international partners helping restore infrastructure, public services, education and healthcare.

Al-Sharaa on Israel and Hezbollah

Al-Sharaa eyes security deal with Israel

In a separate interview with Al Jazeera, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Damascus was working towards a security agreement with Israel through international mediation, expressing hope it could pave the way for wider peace while preserving Syria's claim to the occupied Golan Heights.

Al-Sharaa said Syria was seeking to avoid confrontation with Israel and had no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon. He added that Hezbollah recognised the changing regional landscape and said any discussion over the group's weapons should take place through dialogue under the authority of the Lebanese state.

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News Politics Israel Syria United Nations Antonio Guterres Ahmad Al-Sharaa