Russian forces establish observation point in Syria near Israeli-occupied Golan Heights: monitor

Russian forces have established a new observation point in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights to limit attacks between Israel and Hezbollah-linked groups, according to a war monitor.

Israel illegally occupies the remainder of the Syrian Golan, as well as the Shebaa Farms.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian forces had established an observation point in the western plains area of the town of Koudna, near the frontier with the occupied part of the Golan, to limit attacks between Israel and groups working with Lebanon's Hezbollah.

It brings the number of Russian points near the border with the occupied Golan to 15, according to the war monitor.

Russia, a key ally of President Bashar Al-Assad, began a military intervention in Syria in 2015 in support of the ruling regime.

Iran, Hezbollah, and other groups in the Middle East have exchanged fire with Israel amid its war on the Gaza Strip, which began in October.

The war on Gaza has so far killed at least 40,691 people, according to the Palestinian enclave's health ministry, and has seen South Africa accuse Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Hezbollah and Israel began trading fire on 8 October, the day after the Gaza war began.

The Lebanese group last month fired rockets and drones in retaliation for the late July killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israel began occupying Syria's Golan in 1967 during a Middle East war.

It also illegally occupies the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Agencies contributed to this report.