Israeli Defence Minister: Forces to Stay on Mount Hermon Summit Indefinitely

Jerusalem, Dec 18 (NationPress) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli forces would continue to be stationed on the Syrian summit of Mount Hermon for as long as necessary.

During a visit to the region alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior security officials for a situational evaluation, Katz declared on Tuesday, "We will stay here for as long as necessary," highlighting that the military's presence at this strategically important summit enhances security, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

According to Katz, "Mount Hermon's summit serves as Israel's eyes for detecting nearby and distant threats. From this vantage point, we can observe Hezbollah positions in Lebanon to the right and Damascus to the left."

Following directives issued last Thursday, Katz instructed that the military should swiftly finalize its deployment in the area, which includes fortifications, defensive measures, and improving soldiers' conditions to prepare for a prolonged presence.

Mount Hermon, situated in the Golan Heights, was partially seized by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Middle East War and subsequently annexed in 1981, a move that remains unrecognized internationally.

The mountain spans across Syria, Lebanon, and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Its highest peak, standing at 2,814 metres, is located in Syria, while the southern slopes and lower summit are found in the Israeli-occupied territory.

On December 8, Israeli forces captured the buffer zone, a demilitarized area in the Golan Heights that has been monitored by a United Nations force since the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and also took control of a Syrian army outpost at the summit of Mount Hermon. This action prompted international condemnation.