Israeli tanks have entered Syrian territory: what we know so far.

On Sunday, December 8, tanks from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) crossed the buffer zone and entered Syria. This occurred amid the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime and the capture of Damascus by rebels.

According to reports by The Times of Israel, Syrian sources claim that Israeli tanks crossed the border into Syria from the Golan Heights.

Israeli forces allegedly entered the buffer zone near Quneitra (a city in southwestern Syria) and opened fire.

It is also reported that IDF troops from the 210th Regional Brigade "Bashan" are conducting engineering work on barriers along the Israeli-Syrian border in the Golan Heights.

The media states that the Israel Defense Forces plan to announce increased restrictions for several towns near the border with Syria following the apparent fall of Assad's regime due to the rebels' campaign, some of whom are considered Islamist groups.

Additionally, the restrictions will mean the cancellation of school classes in four Druze villages near the border.

At the same time, lands adjacent to the Syrian border will be declared a closed military zone, thereby restricting civilian access.

Checkpoints are being established around the Golan Heights, and traffic in the area will be limited as necessary.

What the IDF Says

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the deployment of troops in the buffer zone at the Syrian border. This was reported by the military's press service.

"In accordance with the situation assessment after recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone, the Israel Defense Forces have deployed forces in the buffer zone <…> to ensure the safety of the communities in the Golan Heights and Israeli citizens," the statement reads.

The Golan Heights is territory that was part of Syria before the 1967 war. In 1974, following increased clashes in the area, an agreement was signed between the countries to establish a demilitarized zone along the line of separation, where UN peacekeepers would be stationed.

The IDF also stated that Israel is not intervening in the internal events in Syria.

Earlier, "Telegraph" reported that President Bashar al-Assad left Damascus. He allegedly used a plane to depart the capital in an unknown direction, after which his aircraft literally disappeared from radar.