Syrian Residents Endure Israeli Raids and Detentions, Pushing Communities to Breaking Point

In the village of Beit Jinn, Syria, residents gathered on December 1, 2025, following Israeli troop raids days earlier. Ahmed, a resident of Qatana, recounted his harrowing experience of being beaten and tortured in an Israeli prison after his arrest at a local checkpoint. He described being detained for over a year, enduring 90 days of continuous handcuffing, beatings, and severe swelling due to tightened restraints. Upon his release, dozens of villagers gathered to welcome him and inquire about missing relatives. Al Jazeera has confirmed that at least 51 Syrians remain detained in Israel, many transferred from Sde Teiman military prison to facilities like Ofer, al-Jalama (Kishon), and Megiddo. A small number have been released.

The ongoing impact of these detentions is profound. Mahmoud, another former detainee, shared his feelings of instability and distress even after returning home, expressing constant worry for his children. The Israeli military has also been firing shells into fields daily since early August, disrupting farming and herding, causing livestock deaths, and instilling fear. The Sijil Center documented 280 Israeli violations of the 1974 agreement between Syria and Israel in September, including incursions, raids, arrests, and artillery fire.

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrols a demilitarized zone established by the 1974 agreement, but their capacity to restrain Israeli military activity, which has increased since late 2024, is limited. In one instance in late August, Israeli tanks and armored vehicles blocked access to UNDOF base 37. UNDOF confirmed that Israeli military actions occasionally restrict their personnel and patrols. Residents sometimes seek assistance from peacekeepers, but midnight raids and checkpoint detentions remain difficult to address.

Mahmoud described being detained at 3:30 am after his home was surrounded by Israeli troops who used a social media photo to identify him. He detailed the harsh conditions of detention, including prolonged periods in painful stress positions, resulting in infected wounds and scars from restraints and dog bites. He also spoke of the 'disco room,' where loud music was played to disorient detainees. Mahmoud was never charged, given access to a lawyer, or informed of the reason for his release. Access to detainees by the Red Cross has been denied since October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military stated its incursions into Syria are for security reasons and to protect the Druze community, a claim rejected by the Syrian government. Ahmed was bewildered by his detention, noting he wasn't questioned for nearly five months and was asked about affiliations with groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and ISIL. Mohammed Seyyed was detained in 2025 after Israeli troops damaged his home and farm. He, his son, brother, and nephew were taken into Israel. During interrogation, Mohammed was shown maps and photographs, with officers demonstrating extensive knowledge of his personal life, yet he was never informed of the charges against him. An officer admitted his detention was based on false information from community informants.

The Israeli military activity has created a community under siege. Impromptu checkpoints and road closures instill fear, impacting students' ability to attend university and individuals with health conditions needing access to care. The Syrian government's ability to counter Israeli forces in the south is limited, and negotiations for a security agreement have stalled. Residents are growing impatient, with local sheikhs expressing readiness to resist. Families of detainees feel abandoned, facing financial hardship and relying on a WhatsApp group to share information and seek news of releases, often pinning hopes on the presence of surveillance drones.

Hassan Ahmed's son, detained in April 2025, was among those whose olive trees were razed by Israeli troops. Hassan has become a key organizer of protests and information gathering for other parents. The constant anticipation of releases, often occurring on Wednesdays, brings both hope and anguish. Parents describe their hearts being 'on fire' with grief and pain, waiting for news of their detained loved ones.