Mount Hermon, Syria – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain stationed in the buffer zone on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon indefinitely, contradicting previous assurances that the deployment was temporary.
During his visit to an IDF outpost on Mount Hermon on Tuesday, Katz asserted that Israel would not allow “hostile forces” to gain a foothold in southern Syria, nor would it rely on external parties for its security in the region.
“The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, and all the residents of Israel,” Katz declared.
His remarks mark a shift from Israel’s earlier position that its presence in the Syrian buffer zone was a short-term measure to prevent regional instability following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime last month.
Permanent presence in a strategic location
The buffer zone in southern Syria was seized by Israeli forces in the wake of Assad’s downfall on 8 December 2024. Israel justified its initial incursion as necessary to prevent Iranian-backed forces and other militant groups from exploiting the power vacuum in the war-torn country. However, with Katz’s latest statement, it is evident that the IDF is planning to entrench its hold on the territory.
“We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria… we will act against any threat,” Katz reiterated.
The defence minister also mentioned that Israel would build relationships with “friendly populations” in southern Syria, with a particular focus on the Druze community, which has historic ties to Israel’s Druze population.
Military infrastructure in place
The IDF has already begun constructing military installations on Mount Hermon’s Syrian-controlled side, releasing footage of newly built army posts. The Technological and Logistics Directorate has provided troops with insulated structures to withstand the region’s harsh winter conditions, including heating devices, generators, and a medical facility to treat cold-related injuries.
Despite calling the posts “temporary,” the military’s swift efforts to establish infrastructure suggest a long-term presence. The IDF’s continued expansion in the area raises questions about Israel’s broader strategic goals in Syria, particularly as it seeks to limit Iranian influence and prevent Hezbollah from gaining a foothold.
Tensions with Syria’s new government
Following the fall of Assad’s regime, Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has attempted to reassure Israel that his government poses no threat and will not permit Iran to rebuild its military presence in the country. Al-Sharaa has also acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian-backed forces that previously supported Assad and Hezbollah.
However, he has made it clear that Israel has no legal justification for remaining in Syria. Israel, on the other hand, has signalled that it will continue to operate in Syria if Iranian forces attempt to return or if weapons are transferred to Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement earlier this month, reinforced Israel’s stance, saying:
“If this regime allows Iran to reestablish itself in Syria, or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons or any other weapons to Hezbollah, or attacks us, we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price from it.”
A historic opportunity or prolonged conflict?
Despite the political shift in Syria, Israel and its northern neighbour remain in a formal state of war since the Jewish state’s independence in 1948. While Assad’s removal presents an opportunity for Israel and Syria to establish diplomatic ties, Israeli officials remain sceptical about the region’s long-term stability.
Analysts fear that if Israel maintains a military presence in Syria indefinitely, it could trigger renewed hostilities, further complicating an already volatile situation in the Middle East.
As Syria undergoes a major political transition, Israel’s continued presence in the buffer zone will be closely watched by regional and international actors, particularly Iran, Russia, and the United States. Whether the IDF’s occupation of the zone leads to stability or further conflict remains to be seen.
