Israeli army settles in for 'long term occupation' of Syria's Mt. Hermon
The snow-capped peak in the Golan Heights was one of the first prizes Israel seized after the fall of Syria's government and army
Israel is deepening its occupation of Syrian territory, including making plans to retain control of the strategic summit of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, in addition to most of the water sources in Quneitra, in the wake of the fall of the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Akhbar reports on 16 December that according to local sources, Israeli troops have carried out intensive searches and systematic destruction in some occupied areas, including of the drinking water pipes in a number of villages, with the aim of forcing residents to flee.
Israeli forces occupied two new villages near the Golan Heights on Sunday, Mazraat Beit Jinn and Maghar al-Mir, in the Damascus countryside, according to reporters for Anadolu Ajansi.
On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered Israeli troops to prepare to stay over the winter on the 2,800 meter high snow-capped Mount Hermon, a strategic location overlooking Damascus.
According to Reuters, Katz's declaration is a sign that "Israel's presence in Syria is set to continue for a prolonged period."
"Due to what is happening in Syria - there is enormous security importance to our holding on to the peak of Mount Hermon," a statement from Katz's office said.
Israel views the mountain's summit as a strategic asset for observation and defense.
“This is the highest place in the region, looking upon Lebanon, upon Syria, Israel,” saidEfraim Inbar, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS). “It’s strategically extremely important. There is no substitute for mountains.”
Israeli forces plan to install extensive SIGINT (SIGINT eavesdropping and interception) facilities there.
On Saturday, Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Israel was monitoring from the mountain "to ensure that local elements aren't moving in our direction" and preparing for a "very strong offensive and defensive response" if required.
Israel's religious settler movement also covets control of the mountain. Jewish settlers cite the Biblical Book of Joshua, which describes how the Israelites conquered the territory up to and including Mount Hermon. They say this should form the northern border of Israel.
While visiting the Golan Heights on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "This is a historic day in the annals of the [West Asia]."
Israel first occupied most of the Syrian Golan Heights in 1967 and, in 1981, annexed the area, in a move recognized only by the US during President Donald Trump's first term.