@middleeasteye: The Golan Heights was once home to thriving Syrian communities, with its fertile lands and water sources. After the 1967 War, the Golan was occupied by Israel but Syria has never given up its claim to the territory and international law still recognises it as part of Syria. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule by rebel forces, Israel has seized more Syrian territory and has announced plans to encourage the expansion of settlements. So why is the Golan Heights so significant, and how did we get to this point?