Major General Patrick Gaucher briefed the United Nations Security Council that activity by the Israeli Defense Forces in the Golan Heights’ Area of Separation has sharply reduced movement by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and impeded its mandate to monitor the ceasefire.

Gaucher said UNDOF personnel who were in place before December 2024 remain at their positions, but that the mission’s routine movements have been constrained by an IDF presence and roadblocks. "The full operational movement of UN personnel in the area of separation, including patrolling and logistical movement, has been impacted by the IDF presence and roadblock in the area," he said.

The briefing said the IDF has carried out construction inside the Area of Separation, deployed heavy equipment and set up communications equipment. Gaucher quoted Israeli authorities as informing UNDOF that "it would enter the area of separation as a temporary defensive measure to prevent it from being occupied by non-state armed groups following the withdrawal of the Syrian authorities." Gaucher said UNDOF has told Israeli counterparts that such actions constitute a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement.

UNDOF reported that it previously conducted approximately 55 to 60 operational and essential logistical movements per day in the area of separation; those movements are currently restricted to about 10 per day. On the Area of Limitation (the Bravo side), UNDOF said it adapted operations by increasing patrols from about 10 to roughly 40 per week. The mission also reported neutralizing "a few" unexploded ordnance found in public areas on the Bravo side.

Residents in villages within the Area of Separation have contacted UNDOF to request assistance and to ask that the IDF leave village centers and lift roadblocks that impede agricultural work. Gaucher said residents reported damage and destruction allegedly by an IDF battle tank to roads, water pumping stations and solar panels, and reported IDF searches and arrests of relatives. UNDOF is liaising with Israeli authorities, including the IDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over those complaints; Gaucher said several discussions showed "positive exchanges and real progress."

Gaucher reiterated that "the 1974 disengagement agreement between the state of Israel and the state of Syria remains valid," and called on all parties to maintain the ceasefire and respect the mission’s freedom of movement. He reminded the council of Security Council resolution 350 (1974), under which the disengagement arrangement was endorsed, and said the mission relies on continued member-state support to have the means and resources to return to full implementation of its mandate.

He concluded by expressing condolences to the family of a brigadier general who died on Dec. 23 while on duty and thanked contributing countries for their personnel and support.