Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild

Israeli troops to remain atop Syria's Mt Hermon indefinitely: Katz

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Jan 2025 10:54
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Israeli officials have previously claimed these deployments were limited and part of temporary measures to safeguard Israeli security.

Listen
  • x
  • Mount Hermon
    An Israeli soldier stands on the top of a tank next to a Syrian tank inside the buffer zone near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, viewed from the town of Majdal Shams, Saturday, December 21, 2024 (AP)

Israeli forces that seized strategic positions in Southern Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime will remain stationed at the summit of Mount Hermon indefinitely, Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday after visiting troops in the area.

Katz emphasized that "Israel" would not permit what he described as hostile forces to establish a presence in southern Syria.  

Mount Hermon, a vast cluster of snowcapped peaks overlooking the Syria-Lebanon border, provides a strategic vantage point over the Damascus countryside and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which "Israel" seized from Syria during the 1967 war.  

"Israel" has stated that its troops have taken up positions within a UN-monitored demilitarized zone inside Syria, with some units advancing beyond it.

Israeli officials have previously claimed these deployments were limited and part of temporary measures to safeguard Israeli security.

However, "Israel’s" military presence in Syrian territory has drawn criticism from multiple countries and the United Nations, which has called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, citing violations of international agreements.

In December 2024, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the occupied Syrian Golan Heights were Israeli "for eternity".

Related News

2 killed, 11 injured in armed attack on passenger bus in Syria

Israeli forces raid Syrian military barracks in Quneitra: SOHR

Netanyahu instructs IOF to prepare stationing in Syria until late 2025

In mid-December, Katz visited Israeli military outposts on Mount Hermon in Syria, emphasizing the strategic importance of the area in countering threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and factions in Syria.

He was accompanied by Netanyahu, then-military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and Northern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin.

The visit marked the first by senior officials since "Israel" occupied Mount Hermon. During a situational assessment with top military and intelligence officers, Katz stressed the need to strengthen the Israeli forces' presence at the site.

"The peak of Mount Hermon serves as Israel’s eyes for identifying both near and distant threats. From here, we observe Hezbollah on the right in Lebanon, Damascus on the left—and ahead, we see the State of Israel," Katz said.

The Israeli Security Minister outlined his directives to solidify the Israeli occupation forces' hold on Mount Hermon, including constructing fortifications, enhancing defensive measures, and improving conditions for soldiers stationed there. He underscored the importance of readiness for an extended deployment if necessary.

"We will remain here for as long as necessary. Our presence at the peak of Mount Hermon strengthens security while adding a dimension of observation and deterrence—targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and deterring the rebels in Damascus, who claim a moderate front but belong to the most extreme Islamist factions," Katz stated.

Netanyahu has also instructed the military to prepare to remain in the Syrian Mount Hermon area and the UN-patrolled buffer zone until at least the end of 2025.

The premier emphasized that Israeli forces would remain stationed there "until another solution ensuring Israel's security is found."

  • Syria
  • Syrian Golan
  • Israel Katz
  • Israeli aggression
  • Golan Heights
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Golan
  • mount hermon

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS