Netanyahu said Israel will maintain its presence on Mt. Hermon until a new agreement is reached

Israel will maintain its presence at the strategic Mount Hermon location along the Syrian border until an alternative arrangement is established, stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli forces entered Mount Hermon after moving into a demilitarized area between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, following the recent destabilization of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Officials have characterized this action as a temporary and limited measure aimed at safeguarding Israel’s borders, yet there has been no indication regarding the timeline for troop withdrawal. Last week, Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the military to prepare for a prolonged stay at Mount Hermon throughout the winter.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu visited the site for an operational briefing with military leaders and security personnel. “We are conducting this assessment to determine the deployment of the IDF in this critical area until a new arrangement is reached that guarantees Israel’s security,” he remarked in a statement released by his office late Tuesday, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

Israel’s incursion into the buffer zone established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war has faced criticism from several nations and the United Nations, which have urged for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, citing violations of international agreements.