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
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen

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

Fierce clashes erupt between SDF and transitional forces in Aleppo

Putin, Netanyahu discuss Gaza war, Iran nuclear file

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

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

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