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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent from Revolution Square in Tehran: Processions from Bahrain, Iraq, and other Arab nations are in attendance
Iranians gather at Tehran’s Revolution Square for the funeral of martyrs of Israeli aggression
Maduro: I call on the Jews to stop the war madness practiced by the Zionist regime led by Netanyahu
Maduro: Every day, 100 people are killed in Palestine, and the West is watching and is complicit
Iran's representative to the United Nations, in a letter to Guterres and the Security Council: The threat of America and the Zionist entity to assassinate the Supreme Leader is state terrorism.
Washington to the Security Council: The goal was to destroy Iran's uranium enrichment capacity and prevent the threat of Tehran obtaining and using a nuclear weapon
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1 woman martyred, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on residential apartment in Nabatieh, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Four civilians injured in Israeli strike that targeted house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch strikes on regions of al-Mahmoudiyah, al-Khardali
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft execute series of strikes in Kfar Tibnit, South Lebanon.

Netanyahu hallmarks Golan invasion, visits Syria's Mount Hermon

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Dec 2024 20:44
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to the occupied Syrian Golan where he highlighted the strategic importance of Mount Hermon, which the occupation recently acquired following the collapse of the Syrian regime.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IOF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and Northern Command Chief Ori Gordin on Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan on December 17, 2024 (Social media)
    Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IOF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and Northern Command Chief Ori Gordin on Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan on December 17, 2024. (Social media)

Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz visited Israeli occupation forces (IOF) outposts on Mount Hermon in Syria on Tuesday, emphasizing the strategic importance of the area in countering threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and factions in Syria.

He was accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IOF 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 occupation 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 IDF is here to protect the Golan Heights communities and Israeli citizens from any threat, from the most strategic position possible."

'Israel' solidifying occupation of Syria

Katz 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.

Related News

Syrian women increasingly kidnapped for ransom or killing

'Israel' in direct, daily contact with new Syrian gov.: Israeli media

The Security Minister also highlighted the enduring significance of holding high ground, even in an era of advanced long-range weaponry. "Altitude and maintaining a vantage point remain critical. We will not allow a return to a situation of threats resembling those of October 7th along Israel’s borders," he said.

Plans to expand settlement

The Israeli government announced Sunday its decision to advance settlement expansion in the occupied Syria Golan Heights, citing "the war and the new front facing Syria," as well as a goal to double the Israeli population in the region as a reason.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it," Netanyahu stated.

He claimed that "Israel" is "not interested in entering into a confrontation with Syria" and will determine its policy toward Damascus "taking into account the situation on the ground."

"I remind you that Syria has been an active enemy of Israel for decades," Netanyahu said in a statement published by his office.

He indicated that under former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syria allowed other forces to attack "Israel" from its territory and allowed Iran to supply weapons to Hezbollah. 

Golan 'Israeli'

"To guarantee that what happened before will never recur, we have taken intensive action over the past few days," Netanyahu said, adding that "in a few days, we have destroyed the capabilities that the Assad regime was building for decades."

Last week, Netanyahu claimed that the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is Israeli "for eternity".

Speaking in occupied al-Quds, he underscored that Israeli occupation forces' control of the high ground "ensures our security and sovereignty."

"Israel's" actions are considered "a violation" of the 1974 "disengagement agreement" between "Israel" and Syria according to both the United Nations and all countries neighboring occupied Palestine.

  • Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Syria
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Herzi Halevi
  • Israel Katz
  • Golan Heights

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

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