Netanyahu: Israeli Forces Will Continue Presence in Syrian Buffer Zone

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated on Tuesday, December 18, that Israeli forces will remain in the buffer zone at the Syrian border, particularly at the summit of Mount Hermon, "as long as Israel's security is guaranteed." He made these remarks from the summit of this mountain, the highest point in the area, which is located inside Syria, about 10 kilometers from the border with the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. This appears to be the first time an Israeli leader has entered Syrian territory. Netanyahu mentioned that he had been at the summit of Mount Hermon 53 years ago as a soldier, but the importance of this area for Israel's security has increased in light of recent events. A few days after the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by armed rebels, Israel seized parts of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel's occupation of the buffer zone has faced criticism, accusing it of violating the 1974 ceasefire and potentially "exploiting" the chaos in Syria to annex parts of the country. Netanyahu, accompanied by Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, visited the buffer zone and stated that he has instructed the Israeli army to prepare for a long-term presence in the area by expanding necessary defensive fortifications. Katz noted that the summit of Hermon serves as the eyes of the Israeli government to identify distant and nearby enemies. An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity, stated that there are no plans to evacuate Syrians living in the villages of the buffer zone. Source: Associated Press.