Israel's actions in Golan Heights violate terms of 1974 deal on separation of forces: Russia

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday that Israel's actions in the Golan Heights violate the terms of the 1974 Syria-Israel agreement on the separation of forces.

Responding to a question from an Anadolu correspondent at a press briefing in Moscow, Maria Zakharova reaffirmed Russia’s stance on Syria, emphasizing the need to respect the country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

She urged all members of the international community to act responsibly, strictly adhere to international law, and avoid steps that could further escalate tensions in Syria.

"This applies to Israel, whose actions in the Golan Heights violate the terms of the 1974 Syrian-Israeli agreement on the separation of forces.

"And of course, the Israeli Air Force's strikes on both civilian and military targets in Syria are of serious concern. Such aggressive actions clearly do not contribute to stability but instead exacerbate an already dire situation in the country," she stressed.

Turning to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Zakharova highlighted the ongoing challenges in delivering aid, and called on all parties to adhere to the agreements reached between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas since Jan. 15.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump's recent remarks regarding the future of Gaza, she emphasized the importance of actions aimed at improving, rather than worsening, the situation.

"This is the current approach of the White House -- at times provocative, even outrageous. We shall see where this leads and what impact it has. I would like to hope for an improvement in the situation," she said.

Zakharova also noted that it was too early to draw conclusions about Trump's policy direction, given that he has been in office only since last month.

"Let’s allow more time before making definitive assessments. So far, the new US administration has only been in power for two months. We should wait a little longer before commenting in detail. But first and foremost, of course, the Palestinians must have their say on these developments," she said.