Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated during a visit to the Syrian side of Mount Hermon that his forces will remain in Syria indefinitely.

According to the Times of Israel report on Tuesday, January 28, Katz said the Israeli army would stay atop Mount Hermon and in the security area indefinitely to ensure the safety of communities in the Golan Heights and the north.

He added, “We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria… we will act against any threat, and we will not be dependent on others for our security.”

The minister noted that Israel would continue to communicate with “friendly populations” in southern Syria, “focusing on the large Druze community that has historical and familial ties with our Druze brothers in Israel.”

Katz’s comments came as the Israeli army released footage showing the construction of what it called “temporary” military sites on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.

Israel claims that the technology and logistics directorate has provided the troops with insulated structures and equipment for staying on the mountain during winter weather.

Among the facilities established at the military sites is a medical building equipped to treat injuries caused by cold weather, according to the Israeli army.

Since the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, the new Syrian administration has repeatedly announced that Syria would not threaten Israel or allow Iran to re-establish its presence in Syria. However, this has not deterred Israel from penetrating Syria.

Israeli forces entered the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and several areas in Quneitra and western outskirts of Daraa province just hours after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Damascus.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated at the time that the Israeli presence in Syria was a “temporary phase” that followed a “violation of the separation of forces agreement on the Syrian side.”

The Israeli army’s spokesman for Arabic media, Avichay Adraee, said on December 11, 2024, that four combat brigades comprising infantry, commando, engineering, armored units, “Yahalom” (combat engineering corps), and reconnaissance are performing the task of “proactive front defense” led by the 210th Division, deployed in Syria.

Israeli officials previously told Reuters that Israel would maintain a “limited” presence of its forces within Syria in hopes of deterring any threat that might emerge following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.