Official statements from governments and international organizations

Israel Captures Mount Hermon, Ending 1974 Agreement After Assad's Fall

Dec 8, 2024, 02:50 PM

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly captured the Syrian side of Mount Hermon following the withdrawal of Syrian army forces amid the fall of the Assad regime. Multiple reports indicate that the elite Shaldag unit of the Israeli Air Force took control of the strategic location without facing any resistance. This marks the first time in 51 years that Israeli forces have held the entire Mount Hermon, which sits at the intersection of the Syrian, Lebanese, and Israeli borders and rises to 2,814 meters high. The move provides a commanding 360-degree view of the surrounding region, significantly enhancing Israel's ability to monitor troop activity and reinforcing its northern defense. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially announced the end of the 1974 disengagement agreement, and the Israeli cabinet has approved the decision to establish a buffer zone to prevent hostile actors, such as Hezbollah or jihadist groups, from taking control. Israeli forces have also reportedly seized other key locations in the Syrian Golan Heights, including areas up to 14 kilometers into Syrian territory.