Israel maintains an expanded security zone in southern Syria following the December 2024 regime change, conducting frequent ground incursions, patrols, arrests, and limited strikes in Quneitra and Daraa provinces. Recent activity includes tank movements into Wadi al-Raqad in late October 2026, fortification of positions such as the Sufa 53 line, and airstrikes on sites potentially linked to external actors. Damascus has condemned these operations as violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement and demanded a return to prior lines, while U.S. officials have criticized specific escalations. Israeli statements emphasize eliminating immediate threats, securing borders, and preventing consolidation of hostile forces near the Golan Heights. Ongoing diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with trader assessments shaped by the pace of these operations and any shifts in Syrian military deployments or external involvement.