Golan Heights
Israeli-occupied Syrian plateau whose annexation remains invalid under United Nations Security Council Resolution 497.
An Israeli-controlled Syrian plateau governed under Israeli law, while Syria claims sovereignty and the United Nations continues to treat it as occupied territory.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What is the legal status of the Golan Heights and who controls it now?
Timeline for Golan Heights
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Iran Conflict 2026Background
The Golan Heights is a high plateau between Israel and Syria. Israel captured most of it from Syria during the 1967 war and has controlled the area since then. It applied Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration to the territory in 1981.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 497 declared that measure null and void. Syria continues to claim sovereignty, while Israel treats the plateau as part of its territory. The United States recognised Israeli sovereignty in 2019, a position that differs from the United Nations view. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force monitors the Ceasefire and the areas of separation and limitation created by the 1974 Israel-Syria disengagement agreement. Its mandate preserves the Ceasefire framework without settling the competing claims to sovereignty.
Reference
What is UNDOF and what does it do in the Golan Heights?
What happened in the Golan Heights after Assad fell in Syria?
When did the United States recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights?
Who controls the Golan Heights and why is it disputed?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.