Israeli military to stay indefinitely on Mount Hermon, reversing previous claims

The Israeli military has announced that it will maintain its presence on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon indefinitely, reversing previous statements which suggested the deployment was temporary. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the shift in policy during a visit to the strategic location on Tuesday.

“The Israeli military will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, and all the residents of Israel,” Katz declared, seemingly confirming the Israeli occupation of the buffer zone that was seized following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria last month.

Israel’s occupation of the area is seen as a direct violation of Syrian sovereignty. Katz further insisted that the Israeli military would not tolerate any “hostile forces” establishing themselves in southern Syria, and vowed to act against any perceived threats, asserting, “We will not be dependent on others for our security.”

The announcement marks a significant escalation of Israel’s military presence in Syria. Katz also mentioned Israel’s intentions to engage with “friendly populations” in southern Syria, highlighting the large Druze community in the region, which shares familial ties with Druze populations in Israel.

Israeli ‘temporary measure’ turns into another instance of illegal occupation

The Israeli military’s presence on Mount Hermon had initially been described as a temporary measure aimed at preventing hostile elements from exploiting the power vacuum left by the collapse of Assad’s government. However, the recent statements from Katz signal that Israel has no intention of withdrawing.

Israel had previously published footage showing the construction of “temporary” military posts on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, with the Israeli military citing the harsh winter conditions as justification for the permanent structures. The posts include medical facilities designed to treat cold-related injuries, along with equipment such as generators, heating devices, and insulated clothing.

The Israeli military’s expanded role in the region comes in the wake of the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria in December 2024. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the country’s de facto leader following Assad’s ouster, had reassured Israel that the new Syrian government would not pose a threat. However, al-Sharaa also stated that Israel had no legal basis to continue its military operations on Syrian soil, signaling a growing tension between the two countries.

Despite signals from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel sought “correct ties” with the new Syrian regime, Israel has maintained a firm stance on potential military action if Syria allows Iranian forces to reestablish themselves in the country or provides weapons to Hezbollah.

Israel and Syria have been formally at war since Israel’s founding in 1948, and the continued Israeli military presence on Syrian territory is likely to exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region.

While the fall of Assad’s regime offered a potential opportunity for diplomatic engagement, Israel’s actions suggest that it remains deeply wary of any future Syrian leadership that might not align with its strategic interests.