Movements Beyond Buffer Zone.. Israel Approves New Housing Plan in Golan
New Israeli Plan in Golan Reflects Desire to Strengthen Residential Presence in Region During Current Phase
December 15, 2024, 9:47 pm

Movements Beyond Buffer Zone.. Israel Approves New Housing Plan in Golan

جنود إسرائيليون يتخذون مواقع في هضبة الجولان / صور VCG‍

Israeli government approved plan expanding settlements in Golan Heights, indicating decision came "in light of war and new front with Syria," aiming to increase region's population.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Sunday that "strengthening Golan strengthens Israel, particularly important at this time," adding: "We'll continue holding it, make it prosper and settle in it."

Netanyahu confirmed in Monday press conference that "Golan will forever be part of Israel."

Following former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime fall last Sunday, Israeli forces moved in Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981 after 1967 capture.

Israeli forces exceeded buffer zone specified in 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syrian and Israeli sides. Three security sources reported Israeli military movement extended 25 kilometers southwest of Damascus, according to Reuters.

Disengagement Agreement stopping Syria-Israel fire was signed in Geneva May 31, 1974, after October 1973 war, aiming to separate forces.

Agreement established 75-kilometer border buffer zone, from Mount Hermon to Jordanian border, prohibiting military forces entry from both sides, with UN force "UNDOF" responsible for monitoring disengagement agreement implementation.

Levant-Agencies

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”