PM Netanyahu on Syrian side of Mt. Hermon: ‘We will stay until another arrangement ensures Israel’s security’
DM Katz stresses strategic importance of the summit, dubbing it ‘the eyes of the State of Israel, to identify threats near and far’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday visited the summit of Mt. Hermon, situated on the Syrian side of the border. This area was captured by Israeli troops last week as part of an operation to secure the buffer zone after the fall of the Assad regime.
“We will stay in this important place until another arrangement is found that ensures Israel’s security,” Netanyahu declared.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, Head of the IDF Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and other officers accompanied the prime minister.
They held the situational assessment “in light of the fact that events in Syria are occurring at a dizzying pace and the consequences could be far-reaching,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated.
Netanyahu “received an updated operational briefing from the commanders in the field and issued directives on the continued deployment of the IDF. He commended the IDF operations in the area, and the regular and reservist fighters for organizing quickly and for the sharp and professional implementation.”
The IDF had quickly taken over the demilitarized zone along the Golan Heights border with Syria, as well as strategic positions outside of it, after the posts were abandoned by soldiers of the Syrian Armed Forces upon the collapse of the Assad regime, almost two weeks ago.
“The collapse of the Syrian regime created a vacuum on Israel’s border and in the buffer zone established by the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement,” the PMO stated. “This deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.”
Amid international criticism of Israel’s action, Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the assault against dictator Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, vowed on Monday that Syria will continue to honor the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Israel, including the deployment along the demilitarized zone.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu declared on Tuesday that the meeting on Mt. Hermon was meant “to decide on the deployment of the IDF in this important place until another arrangement is found that ensures Israel's security.”
“This is nostalgic for me,” Netanyahu continued. “I was here 53 years ago with my soldiers in the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit. The place has not changed. It is the same place but its importance for the security of Israel has only been underscored in recent years, and especially in recent weeks with the dramatic events that have occurred below us in Syria.”
“We will determine the best arrangement that will ensure our security,” he emphasized.
In a separate statement, Katz stressed the strategic significance of the summit point, dubbing it “the eyes of the State of Israel, to identify threats near and far.”
“The IDF is here to protect the Golan Heights communities and the citizens of Israel from any threat, from the most important place where it can be done. I instructed the IDF to quickly complete the establishment of the area - including the construction of fortifications and defensive measures and the regulation of the soldiers' conditions - in order to fully prepare for the possibility of a prolonged stay there.”
The IDF recently announced it would prepare insulated shelters, winter gear, and other essential equipment for the troops stationed on the peak of the Hermon Mountain range, which is expected to receive heavy snowfall as the winter months approach.
“We will be here for whatever length of time is required. Our presence here at the peak of Mount Hermon strengthens security and adds both a dimension of observation and deterrence of Hezbollah strongholds in the Bekaa in Lebanon and deterrence against the rebels in Damascus, who claim to present a moderate face but are among the most extreme Islamist movements,” Katz continued.
“Even in the era of long-range weapons, high ground and observation are of great significance – we will not allow a return to a situation of October 7-style threats to the borders of the State of Israel.”
The PMO revelation that Netanyahu had traveled to the north capped off a day of frantic rumors and online speculation. The prime minister had requested to cancel Tuesday’s court hearing, part of his ongoing corruption trial, citing an undisclosed and extraordinary reason, which the court approved.
In the morning, Netanyahu was filmed entering a helicopter, kicking off a swirl of speculations about his destination. This was intensified by the announcement of a training flight of the official “Wing of Zion” state plane to Cyprus.
Then, Reuters reported that Netanyahu had flown to Cairo, Egypt, for hostage deal talks, leading to rumors that a deal was imminent. However, Netanyahu's spokesman quickly denied the rumors before the PMO finally revealed Netanyahu’s trip to the Syrian side of the border.
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The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
