On Monday, October 20, 2025, the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the arbitrary detention of a civilian by Israeli occupation forces during a ground incursion supported by military vehicles into the town of Jubata al-Khashab, Quneitra Governorate.
According to information obtained by the Network from its field teams, Israeli occupation forces detained a civilian while he was working on a passenger bus. The civilian was passing through a temporary checkpoint established by Israeli occupation forces near the junction of the village of al-Makaser in the town of Jubata al-Khashab, and was forcibly transferred to an unknown location. The Network documented his release the following day, and information confirmed that he was severely beaten during his detention without following any clear legal procedures, which constitutes arbitrary detention prohibited under international human rights law.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and gathering more evidence and information. Therefore, we hope that anyone with information or details related to this incident will share them with us via our official email address: [email protected]
Legal Conclusions:
- The bus driver’s arrest without a warrant, a clear security necessity, or charges, and without respect for fair trial guarantees, constitutes arbitrary detention under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits deprivation of liberty without legal basis.
- According to Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (Article 75), all detained persons must be treated humanely, with respect for their legal rights. This requirement was not respected in this incident, neither in terms of the legal basis for detention, nor in terms of its duration or location.
- The Israeli military incursion and detention operations within Syrian territory constitute a flagrant violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of any member state. It constitutes an act of aggression contrary to the rules of general international law.
- The detention of civilians while they are in their village constitutes a repressive measure that impacts economic and social rights and indicates the targeting of civilians based on their local environment or geographical location. This conduct is retaliatory and prohibited.
- Repeated incursions and occupation of military barracks inside Syria, as well as security operations and detentions, are practices that perpetuate an unrecognized occupation and may pave the way for demographic change or the imposition of a de facto military authority, threatening broader grave violations.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights’ recommendations:
- A clear international condemnation of the unlawful detention by the Israeli occupation forces, considering it a violation of the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter, requiring legal accountability.
- Calling on the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council to investigate the incident, through mechanisms such as the International Independent Mechanism (IIIM), and documenting it within the pattern of Israeli violations in southern Syria.
- Demanding that Israel disclose details of the detention process, provide public legal justifications, and compensate the detained civilians for the violations they suffered, including material and moral damage.
- Deploying international monitoring forces or expanding the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to include monitoring cases of detention and violations against civilians in the Syrian border areas.
- Activating international criminal accountability tools, especially the International Criminal Court (ICC), to consider classifying these practices as war crimes related to unlawful detention in occupied or disputed territories.
- Improving civilian protection in conflict zones by establishing local early warning networks and documenting unauthorized foreign troop movements, in cooperation with local civil society organizations and human rights activists.
