Israel Orders Temporary Military Stay on Syrian Side of Mount Hermon for Security

Dec 13, 2024, 08:46 AM

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israeli military to prepare for a continued presence on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon through the winter months. This directive comes in the wake of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government, with Israeli forces having entered 2-10 kilometers deep within the demilitarized buffer zone along the border with Syria. Katz emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining control over Mount Hermon due to the ongoing situation in Syria. The deployment is described as temporary, aimed at ensuring security at the border until a force capable of adhering to the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement can be established. The Israeli army has launched hundreds of air and naval strikes against Syrian military assets, targeting chemical weapons stores and air defenses to prevent them from falling into the hands of Syrian rebels. This deployment coincides with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon after fighting Hezbollah militants for months and the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed concern over the violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging all parties to uphold the 1974 agreement. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has also criticized Israel's actions in the buffer zone.