Two peacekeepers were injured Thursday amid intense fighting in the area of separation monitored by the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has come under increasing threat and attacks in recent months as fighting between Syrian forces and anti-government groups continues unabated.

Austria – which contributes about one-third of UNDOF’s troops – has announced its decision to withdraw its soldiers, reportedly citing a lack of freedom of movement and an unacceptable level of danger to its personnel.

“Everyone agreed that UNDOF should continue in its mission, even if it is temporarily reduced in its ability to fulfil the current mandate,” Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant of the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council for June, told reporters after closed-door talks on the latest developments.

“Everyone felt that UNDOF played a key role in guaranteeing the 1974 ceasefire disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria and also acting as a conduit of communications, including in the last few days between Israel and Syria,” he added. “It was therefore an important symbol of the stability across the Israel-Syrian border.”

Mr. Lyall Grant said the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is currently looking to engage with countries, particularly existing troop contributors, to see whether they are willing to increase their troops to fill the gap that will be left by the Austrian withdrawal.

“They will also be looking at the possibility of new troop contributors and getting them into the theatre as soon as possible, at the same time as trying to encourage the Austrians to slow down their departure from the theatre and dissuade any other current troop contributors from withdrawing troops,” he stated.

DPKO will also be putting forward options to the Council in the next few weeks, in advance of UNDOF’s renewal on 26 June, on how the mandate can be strengthened, amended or changed in the light of the current circumstances.

“It is clear that, with the fighting going on in Syria and the prospect of it continuing for some time yet, the current mandate for UNDOF is not able to be properly fulfilled,” Mr. Lyall Grant stated.

Yesterday, the Council strongly condemned the intense fighting in the Golan Heights, including the attack that injured the two UNDOF peacekeepers, and called on all parties to fully cooperate with the mission to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the risk that all military activities in the area of separation conducted by any actor pose to the long-held ceasefire and the local population,” the 15-member body said in a press statement.

It also noted with grave concern that there have been a number of incidents threatening the safety and security of UN personnel in recent months and underscored they would continue to monitor the situation closely.

“Overnight, shots were fired at an IDF patrol on the border in the central Golan Heights, damaging a military vehicle. No injuries were caused,” IDF said in a statement.

“In response, IDF forces returned precise fire at the source of the gunfire. They reported a direct hit. The IDF views the recent incidents in the north with concern and has lodged a complaint with UNDOF.”

A defense source told The Jerusalem Post, “They fired on our patrol. Whether they knew it was us or not I don’t know, but it’s the third time in a row this has happened [this week], at the same place and time. The fire was directed at us.”

Gunfire incidents across the frontier from Syria have recurred since the beginning of the conflict in Syria more than two years ago. However, there have been no major flare-ups in the region until now, with Syrian shells crashing in the occupied Golan and Israel firing in retaliation.

Israel’s Army Radio said Tuesday’s incident was the third consecutive cross-border shooting this week. Two instances of gunfire into the Israeli Golan Heights occurred on Monday morning.

Israel captured the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, from Syria in a 1967 war and later annexed the area. Negotiations aimed at resolving that conflict fell apart in 2000.

Israel has not taken sides in Syria’s bloody conflict, but has been worried about the involvement of Lebanese group Hezbollah, in the fighting.

In a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr. Ban welcomed the release of the four peacekeepers of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) who had been detained on 7 May by armed elements near Al Jamlah.

“He appreciates the assistance of Qatar and of others involved in securing their safe release,” the statement added.

The Secretary-General again emphasized to all parties the impartiality of United Nations peacekeepers. “UNDOF is on the ground to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria,” he said, calling on all parties to respect the mission’s freedom of movement and the safety and security of its personnel

This latest abduction was a replay of a similar incident that occurred on 6 March, when 21 UNDOF peacekeepers were captured in the same location by armed elements of the Syrian opposition. They were held four days before being released safely.

In the wake of that incident, the Security Council issued a Presidential Statement on 27 March expressing its “grave concern” at the presence of the Syrian and opposition troops inside the demilitarized area of the Golan Heights, and called on both sides to respect the blue helmets’ freedom of movement and security.

That statement followed a briefing to the Council by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous on the security risks and operational challenges facing UNDOF.

Mr. Ladsous told journalists after the closed-door session that UN peacekeepers had reduced their activities in response to the presence of armed groups from the Syrian conflict and have taken additional security measures, including more frequent use of armoured vehicles.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In December, the Security Council extended the mission’s mandate for another six months, until 30 June 2013.

According to a statement issued by his Spokesman, the Secretary General “strongly condemns the detention of four United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeepers by armed elements in the vicinity of Al Jamla, in the area of limitation.”

Calling for the peacekeepers’ immediate release, Secretary-General Ban reminded all actors in Syria that UNDOF is mandated to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria.

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to respect UNDOF’s freedom of movement and safety and security,” the statement said.

This latest incident comes nearly two months after 21 UNDOF peacekeepers were captured on 6 March in the same location by armed elements of the Syrian opposition. They were held for fours before being released safely.

In the wake of that incident, the Security Council issued a Presidential Statement on 27 March expressing its “grave concern” at the presence of the Syrian and opposition troops inside the demilitarized area of the Golan Heights, and called on both sides to respect the blue helmets’ freedom of movement and security.

That statement followed a briefing to the Council by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous on the security risks and operational challenges facing UNDOF.

Ladsous told journalists after the closed-door session that UN peacekeepers had reduced their activities in response to the presence of armed groups from the Syrian conflict and have taken additional security measures, including more frequent use of armoured vehicles.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In December, the Security Council extended the mission’s mandate for another six months, until 30 June 2013.

UN peacekeepers are in the area to monitor the 1974 disengagement accord agreed upon by Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the risk that all military activities in the area of separation conducted by any actor pose to the long-held ceasefire and the local population,” according to a statement read out by Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the rotating Council presidency for the month of March.

Churkin said that the 15-member Council “also underscored the increased risk the situation poses to United Nations personnel on the ground” including the firing on UN personnel and facilities, carjacking of UN vehicles and the detention of the 21 military personnel from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

The Council noted that the Government of Syria has the primary responsibility for safety and security of UNDOF’s personnel and called on all parties to respect UNDOF’s privileges and immunities and “to ensure the security of and unhindered and immediate access for United Nations personnel carrying out their mandate.”

The statement comes one day after Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous briefed the Council on the security risks and operational challenges facing UNDOF. He told journalists after the closed-door session that UN peacekeepers reduced their activities in response to the presence of armed groups from the Syrian conflict and have taken additional security measures, which include the use of more armoured vehicles.

In that context, the Council welcomed the provision of “additional security upgrades and equipment.” Council members also urged UNDOF to consider the temporary use of alternative ports of entry and departure to ensure safe personnel rotation.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous told journalists in New York that the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has had to “adopt a posture which is somewhat more static” and take additional security measures, which include the use of more armoured vehicles.

“We have had to reduce somewhat the footprint of UNDOF in the Golan Heights in the area of operation,” Mr. Ladsous said after briefing the Security Council behind closed doors on actions taken since the seizure and safe release of 21 blue helmets earlier this month. In the days following, UNDOF vacated two positions which were particularly exposed to gunfire.

He said that clearly, it is a situation that warrants respect for the neutrality, safety and security of UN personnel. “This call applies to all concerned,” he added.

The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) monitors the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.

Mr. Ladsous said the incident, more than ever, shows the importance of that agreement for that part of the world “and it has to be upheld.”

He thanked the countries contributing troops to the region and said he very much hopes that they will stay the course on this “very important mission.”

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), which Mr. Ladsous heads, is in the process of looking to replace the contingents which have left in recent weeks, particularly with more Arabic-speaking officers.

Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the presidency of the Council for this month, told reporters that the armed groups are being “provocative” in the area where the peacekeepers operate, but the blue helmets do not have the mandated authority from the Council to stop them.

Mokhtar Lamani, the Damascus representative of the new UN-Arab League peace envoy to Syria, said the peacekeepers crossed into Jordan on Saturday afternoon, Reuters reported.

Yarmouk Martyrs brigade, a rebel group, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Syrian rebels initially said they would only release the hostages once Syrian troops withdrew from the area. However, rebels eventually dropped their demand and began negotiations with U.N. officials to free the peacekeepers.

On Friday, a U.N. team tried to free the hostages, but was unable due to heavy regime shelling of the area.

On Wednesday, armed elements of the Syrian opposition detained a group of peacekeepers who are part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.

The UN estimates that the Syrian conflict has claimed more than 70,000 lives and forced millions from their homes.

Israel seized the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War. UN peacekeepers have been monitoring the armistice line that followed the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in which Syria tried to recapture the territory.

Earlier, Israel warned that it will not “stand idle” as Syria’s civil war spills over into the Golan region.

According to the Syrian observatory for Human Rigths (SOHR) a spokesperson of the rebel battalion holding the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) members in the town of al-Jamla said that an agreement had been reached to free the 21 International observers tomorrow (Saturday) morning between 10 a.m and noon.

“A precondition to the release of the hostages is that the area should witness a ceasefire, with regime forces stopping their bombardment. A delegation from the Red Cross and the United Nations will be in the area tomorrow morning,” SOHR said in a statement.

“As of now there is, perhaps, a hope – but I have to be extremely cautious because it is not done yet – but there is the possibility that a ceasefire of a few hours can intervene which will allow for people to be released,” Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous, told reporters in New York after a closed-door briefing to the Security Council.

He stressed that if the ceasefire was to happen, there would be a strong expectation that there would be no retaliatory action by the Syrian armed forces over the village and its civilian population.

“Our 21 peacekeepers are detained in the village of Al Jamla. Apparently they are safe and they have been spread into 4 or 5 locations within that village in the basement of various houses,” Ladsous, told reporters in New York.

“That particular village is subject to intense shelling by the Syrian armed forces. Of course we are working 24/7 in the area of operation, with people in the region, and here in the Secretariat, to secure their release under good conditions as quickly as possible.”

On Wednesday, armed elements of the Syrian opposition detained a group of peacekeepers who are part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.

Mr. Ladsous added that in light of the situation, UNDOF had vacated two positions which were particularly exposed to gunfire, and the way the mission is operating is being examined due to the degraded safety and security conditions.

The United Nations confirmation on Wednesday came in response to videos posted online that purported to show fighters with the seized convoy.

Syrian rebels say they will hold them captive until President Bashar al-Assad’s forces pull back from a rebel-held village, Jamlah, which has seen heavy recent fighting, according to Reuters.

“If no withdrawal is made within 24 hours we will treat them as prisoners,” he said, accusing them of collaborating with security forces to push the rebels out of Jamla.

More than 20 peacekeepers from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) were being held, according to Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the March presidency of the 15-member Council.

“The members of the Security Council demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained UN peacekeepers and called upon all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel,” Mr. Churkin said in a statement read out to the press following closed-door consultations on the matter.

A spokesperson for Security-General Ban Ki-moon said that approximately 30 armed fighters had stopped and detained the peacekeepers within the Area of Limitation, east of the B-Line.

“The UN observers were on a regular supply mission and were stopped near Observation Post 58, which had sustained damage and was evacuated this past weekend following heavy combat in close proximity, at Al Jamlah,” Eduardo del Buey told reporters.

“The mission is dispatching a team to assess the situation and attempt a resolution,” he said.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In December, the Security Council extended the mission’s mandate for another six months, until 30 June 2013.

Israel has warned that it will not “stand idle” as Syria’s civil war spills over into the Golan region.

Genie Israel Oil and Gas Ltd. has been granted exclusive rights to drill about one-third of the Golan Heights total area, the Energy Ministry said, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

“Awarding a drilling license on the Golan could cause an international fracas, given the Golan’s status as occupied Syrian territory under international law,” Globes writes.

The company is headed by Effi Eitam, a former Israeli Cabinet minister. Shareholders include chairman Howard Jonas, Lord Jacob Rothschild, and Rupert Murdoch. Former US Vice President Dick Cheney is an advisor, Globes reported.

The Golan Heights is a flat basaltic highland. In the south – its height is 300 meters above sea level and in the north it reaches a height of 1,100 meters above sea level.

Israel seized the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981, in a move never recognised by the international community. Syria tried to return the Golan Heights during the 1973 Middle East war. The assault was thwarted and both countries signed an armistice in 1974 and a UN observer force has been in place on the ceasefire line since 1974.

Israel depends on imported oil for 99 percent of its needs, most of which is supplied by Russia and the former Soviet republics.

There are more than 30 Jewish settlements on the heights, with an estimated 20,000 settlers, according to BBC.