NNA - Israel has denied reports that its tanks have reached Qatana, which is 10km (six miles) into Syrian territory, east of the demilitarised zone separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, and on the approach to Damascus.

Reuters, citing Syrian security sources, said Israeli troops had reached Qatana, and that Israel’s military had declined to comment. Sky News in the UK reportsthat the IDF had denied the claims to it. Qatana is about 25 km (16 miles) south-west of Syria’s capital.

On Monday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel for almost 60 years, will remain part of Israel “for eternity”. The strategically valuable territory provides a vantage point over Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

Netanyahu said control of the high ground “ensures our security and sovereignty”, after he had ordered troops to move into a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli-controlled territory from Syria.

Regional security sources and officers within the fallen Syrian army told Reuters heavy Israeli airstrikes continued against military installations and airbases across Syria overnight, destroying dozens of helicopters and jets, as well as Republican Guard assets in and around Damascus. The rough tally of 200 raids had left nothing of the Syrian army’s assets, they said.--agencies 

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