Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israel quickly launched an extensive military operation, striking nearly 500 targets and neutralizing significant military assets to prevent them from falling into rebel hands. Among the key gains is Israel’s control of Mount Hermon, the highest peak in Syria.
Israeli officials have indicated that the occupation of Mount Hermon is temporary, but the strategic importance of the summit cannot be overstated. Efraim Inbar, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), stated, “It’s strategically extremely important. There is no substitute for mountains.” The summit had previously been a demilitarized zone patrolled by UN peacekeepers for 50 years.
On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered preparations for winter deployments, emphasizing the critical nature of holding the Mount Hermon summit for national security. Reports from the activist group Voice of the Capital suggested that IDF forces have advanced as far as Beqaasem, approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Damascus; however, an Israeli military spokesperson denied any advancement toward the capital.
Israel captured the Golan Heights, adjacent to Mount Hermon, during the 1967 war and has occupied it since. Although Syria attempted to regain this territory in the 1973 war and failed, Israel formally annexed it in 1981—a move deemed illegal under international law, although the Trump administration recognized Israel’s claim during its time in office.
While Israel has long held lower slopes of Mount Hermon and even operates a ski resort there, the peak itself remained under Syrian control. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that Israel does not intend to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs but will act decisively to protect its security.
Control of Mount Hermon carries substantial advantages. At 9,232 feet (2,814 meters), it is the highest point in the region, second only to one peak in Lebanon. Inbar explained in a 2011 paper that this vantage point allows for electronic surveillance of Syrian territory, providing early-warning capabilities in the event of an attack. He emphasized that conventional airborne surveillance systems cannot match the mountain’s strategic benefits.
Located just over 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) from Damascus, Israel’s control of Mount Hermon enables potential artillery strikes on the Syrian capital, heightening tensions in the region.
Amid this military buildup, Netanyahu has expressed a willingness to engage with the new Syrian government. However, he and other security officials are adamant about not taking unnecessary risks.
Retired Brigadier General Israel Ziv highlighted Israel’s proactive approach: “We have learned from other countries what happens when terrorist organizations capture military equipment.” While Netanyahu insists the occupation is temporary, he outlined that Israel’s withdrawal would depend on the establishment of a Syrian force committed to the 1974 agreement, ensuring security along the border.
When that may occur remains uncertain. Inbar noted that the decision to withdraw military forces is ultimately a political one, adding, “The military would love to stay there.”
