Khaberni - In a provocative scene that sparked widespread anger, a video of Israeli soldiers raising the Israeli flag and chanting the national anthem "Hatikvah" in the center of Quneitra city, southern Syria, went viral on social media platforms.
The clip was filmed in a demolished area on the disengagement line, where the Israeli army established a new military base, as part of its ongoing encroachment into southern Syria since the departure of the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in December.
According to the video posted by Israeli journalists, the Israeli flag was raised in "Assad Square", also known as "Flag Roundabout", which carries significance beyond the scene itself, as the same square witnessed the raising of the Syrian flag in 1974 by the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, after the liberation of Quneitra.
Syrians expressed their outrage over this provocative scene, which stirs Syrian emotions and their sacrifices over many years, comparing the raising of the Syrian flag in 1974 after the liberation of Quneitra from Israeli occupation to the raising of the Israeli flag today at the same square.
Others pointed out the symbolism of the place and time, where "Assad Square" (Flag Roundabout) has transformed from a memory of liberation to a "stigma of breach and insult to history and national dignity".
Earlier, several sites in the countryside of Damascus, Daraa, and Sweida witnessed a noticeable increase in military movements by the new Syrian army, aiming to withdraw heavy weapons from those areas in undeclared agreements between the Damascus government and Israel.
It was added: "Heavy weapons were completely withdrawn from strategic locations that were defensive pivot points in southern Syria, notably Tal Sha'ar, Tal al-Mal, the 175th Regiment in Izra' town, the command of the 90th Brigade, Tal al-Shahm, the outskirts of Sa'sa' town, surrounding the town of Kanaker where the 121st Brigade is stationed, and Tal al-Mahas on the outskirts of the city of Jasim in the Daraa countryside".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that "Israel wants to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, including Sweida".
Occupation soldiers raise the Israeli flag in "Assad Square" in Quneitra in southwest Syria pic.twitter.com/C8Jqxky4bC
— khaberni - Khaberni (@khaberni) October 1, 2025
