DAMASCUS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces detonated hundreds of land mines and carried out demolitions of buildings, including historical sites, in Syria's Quneitra province in recent days, a war monitor said Wednesday, as the United Nations (UN) warned of mounting concerns over the impact on civilians in southern Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli forces exploded about 700 land mines in the occupied Syrian Golan area in what it described as part of ongoing military activity in the region.

The Britain-based monitor also reported that Israeli forces have continued demolition operations in the ruined city of Quneitra, including structures of historical significance.

The observatory added that Israeli forces conducted search operations on Tuesday targeting at least eight homes in the village of al-Arida, located between the towns of Maariya and Abdin in western Daraa province.

Israel has not immediately commented on the reported incidents.

Separately, the United Nations human rights office said it has received reports of increasing violations affecting civilians in southern Syria.

"We are receiving mounting protection concerns for civilians in southern Syria, where expanding operations by Israeli forces occupying these areas are placing lives at risk," Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Tuesday. ■