Netanyahu Targets Long-Term Israeli Military Presence in Occupied Syrian Territories
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a significant announcement on Tuesday, declaring that Israel will maintain its military presence in the territories of Syria it recently occupied. Speaking from the summit of Mount Hermon, which is nearly 10 kilometers inside the Syrian border, Netanyahu suggested a shift in policy regarding Israel's longstanding approach to its presence in the region.
This declaration marks a departure from Netanyahu's previous characterization of Israel's actions as temporary and defensive, prompted by the sudden regime change in Syria. He now implies a more permanent strategy, stating that Israeli forces will remain until a new agreement can be established that guarantees Israel's security. The statement raises questions about Israel's commitment to the existing agreements with Syria that have defined the regional borders for almost half a century.
Just over a week ago, Israel swiftly occupied Mount Hermon and other disputed areas on the Golan Heights following the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The Golan Heights, which Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War, has been a contentious point since then, with an international agreement in 1974 creating a UN-patrolled buffer zone to separate Israeli and Syrian forces.
The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Ahmed al Sharaa—also known as Abu Mohammed al Jolani—had indicated days prior that the new Syrian government would honor the 1974 agreement, urging Israel to withdraw its forces from the buffer zone. However, Netanyahu's statements suggest a firm resolve to retain control over the region. On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced this narrative, indicating that Israel plans to construct fortifications and position additional soldiers in the newly occupied territories, signaling an intent for an extended presence.
During his address at Mount Hermon, Netanyahu expressed a sense of nostalgia, recalling his own military service in the area 53 years earlier. "Returning to that place makes me nostalgic for my military service days. I was here with my soldiers during a military patrol," he said, following it with remarks about the strategic importance of the location amid the escalating tensions in Syria.
Mount Hermon, standing at 2,814 meters, is one of the highest peaks in the Middle East, holding significant strategic value due to its vantage point overlooking both Israel and Syria. This geographic advantage, combined with the ongoing instability in Syria, strengthens Israel's rationale for maintaining a military foothold in the region.
As Israel's military actions in Syria evolve, the implications for regional stability and international relations remain to be seen, particularly as the Israeli government signals a withdrawal from previously established agreements with Syria, potentially escalating tensions further.
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