Netanyahu, Katz Hold Situational Assessment Atop Mount Hermon

Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Defense

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz with IDF brass and forces atop Mount Hermon. Dec. 17, 2024

The Israeli government and IDF forces are preparing for a very long stay at the top of Mount Hermon, and the future of the site is far from clear at this point.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz visited IDF posts on Mount Hermon on Tuesday with IDF Chief of Staff LTG Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar and Northern Command commander, Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin.

It was the first such visit since the area was taken by the IDF following the collapse of the Syrian government led by former President Bashar al-Assad.

“We will be here for as long as it takes,” Netanyahu said.

“Our presence here at the height of Hermon strengthens security and adds both a dimension of observation and deterrence to Hezbollah’s strongholds in the Beka’a in Lebanon, and deterrence against the rebels in Damascus, who claim to present a moderate face but are among the most extreme Islamic elements,” the prime minister said.

Katz added that he has instructed the IDF to quickly complete the military’s establishment in the area, including the construction of fortifications and means of defense and the regulation of the soldiers’ conditions, in order to be fully prepared for the possibility of a prolonged stay.

“We will be here for whatever length of time is required,” Katz said.

“The Hermon peak is the eyes of the State of Israel to identify threats near and far. We look out here to the right at Hezbollah in Lebanon, to the left at Damascus, and across the way we see the State of Israel. The IDF is here to protect the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of the State of Israel from any threat, from the most important place where it is possible to do so.

“Even in the era of long-range weapons, height and visibility are of great significance,” Katz added. “We will not allow a return to a situation of October 7-style threats to the borders of the State of Israel.”