Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Mount Hermon in occupied Syrian territory on Wednesday, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the deputy chief of staff. The visit came as preparations were under way for Knesset elections scheduled for October. Speaking while wearing body armor, Netanyahu said Israel controlled the area from Hermon to the Yarmouk River and the Mediterranean Sea, calling it “unprecedented absolute control.” Syria strongly condemned the trip as an illegal invasion and a violation of its sovereignty.
Netanyahu said Israel would not allow any “terrorist army” to establish itself along its borders. He described the current situation as one of Israel’s major achievements in what he called the “war of resurrection.” The prime minister also spoke about Iran, saying Israel’s main goal was to defeat its “terrorist regime” and finally destroy the regional alliance linked to it. The statements came amid ongoing Israeli strikes on Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Katz vowed that Israeli troops would remain in the area, addressing Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa: “We are in the security zone, and we will not leave.” He said Israel was sending a message to the Syrian leadership from Mount Hermon, located about 35 kilometers from Damascus. Katz also threatened Iran with new strikes, saying Israel had already attacked it twice and would carry out a third strike if necessary.
Netanyahu has visited Syrian territory at least twice: first in December 2024, shortly after Israel established control over the buffer zone, and again in November 2025. Katz visited southern Syria two weeks earlier. Damascus called that visit a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel said it was ending the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and announced a decision to occupy the border area around Mount Hermon adjoining the occupied Golan Heights.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry called Netanyahu’s visit a provocation and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. The ministry warned that Israel’s continued incursions and attacks threatened the security and stability of the region, held Israel responsible for the consequences, and called on the United Nations and influential countries to halt the military actions and restore the 1974 agreement. The document was concluded after the 1973 war to separate Syrian and Israeli forces. Despite US-mediated negotiations and an agreement to exchange intelligence, Israeli strikes have not stopped. At the same time, Israeli Navy Commander Eyal Harel warned other countries that distance would not protect anyone from attempts to alter the balance of power in the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
Comments on the News
How did the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement regulate the presence of Syrian and Israeli troops around the Golan Heights, and why did Israel announce that it was ending the agreement? — The 1974 agreement created a buffer zone on the Golan Heights controlled by UN forces (UNDOF) and imposed restrictions on the deployment of troops and weapons on both sides of the separation line. Israel said it was ending the arrangements after the fall of Bashar Assad’s government and the withdrawal of Syrian forces from their positions, arguing that the previous order could no longer guarantee Israel’s security. The United Nations and several countries considered Israel’s unilateral actions a violation of the agreement.
What is the strategic significance of Mount Hermon for controlling southern Syria and the approaches to Damascus, given its location and altitude? — Mount Hermon lies at the intersection of Syria, Israel and Lebanon, with its peaks rising to approximately 2,814 meters. Its elevation provides long-range visibility, opportunities for radar surveillance and control over communications. Control of the Syrian slopes allows monitoring of southwestern Syria and routes toward Damascus, which is about 40 kilometers from the mountain, while also creating a forward defensive position.
Who is Ahmad al-Sharaa, and what role does Syria’s current leadership play in negotiations with Israel, the United States and the United Nations over the border zone? — Ahmad al-Sharaa is a Syrian political and military leader formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani; he headed the transitional authorities after the overthrow of Bashar Assad. Syria’s current authorities are seeking to restore control over the border areas, return to the internationally agreed 1974 framework and prevent further advances by Israeli forces. With US mediation and UN participation, they are seeking to move the issue into the diplomatic sphere. However, any final agreement depends on security guarantees, the status of the Golan Heights and the Syrian leadership’s ability to control the territory.
Full version: نتنياهو يطلق تهديدات من جبل الشيخ السوري المحتل وكاتس يتعهد بالبقاء فيه