Netanyahu: IDF To Stay on Mount Hermon Until New Security Plan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli troops will remain stationed on the strategic Mount Hermon near the Syrian border until alternative security arrangements are established. The statement follows Israel’s occupation of the site earlier this month after the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Mount Hermon, located within a demilitarized zone established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, was taken over by Israeli forces as part of what officials have described as a temporary measure to secure the country’s borders. Defense Minister Israel Katz previously instructed troops to prepare for a prolonged stay, potentially extending through the winter months.
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During an operational briefing at the site on Tuesday, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of the deployment. “We are holding this assessment in order to decide on the deployment of the IDF in this important place until another arrangement is found that ensures Israel’s security,” he stated, referencing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The occupation has drawn international criticism, with several countries and the United Nations describing it as a violation of longstanding agreements governing the buffer zone. The UN and other critics have called for an immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Despite the calls for withdrawal, Israel has not provided a timeline for removing its forces, maintaining that its presence on Mount Hermon is critical to safeguarding its borders during a period of heightened regional instability.
