Baghdad: Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Wednesday strongly condemned a tour conducted by the Israeli prime minister, along with the ministers of defense and foreign affairs and several senior Israeli officials, in southern Syria. The ministry described the tour as 'illegal' and a 'grave violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

According to National Iraqi News Agency, in its statement, the ministry said the Israeli move represents 'a new attempt to impose a fait accompli that contradicts UN Security Council resolutions,' noting that it comes as part of Israel's ongoing policies aimed at 'entrenching aggression and continuing violations of Syrian territory.'

Damascus reiterated its demand for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Syrian territory, stressing that all Israeli actions in the south are 'null and void and have no legal effect' under international law.

The ministry also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in 'deterring the practices of the occupation' and compelling Israel to fully withdraw and return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. It affirmed that Syria will continue to defend its sovereignty and work to reclaim all of its land.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's public broadcaster reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Kisch, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a tour inside Syrian territory, noting that the tour comes within the context of U.S. efforts to advance a potential security agreement between Israel and Syria.