Syria condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unauthorized entry into Syrian territory and his visit to Mount Hermon on Wednesday, September 9.

In a statement issued today, the Syrian Foreign Ministry described the visit as a “provocative step and a flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.” The ministry said the continued Israeli incursions and attacks inside Syrian territory constitute a dangerous escalation that threatens security and stability in the region.

The Foreign Ministry held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for its violations and called on the United Nations, international organizations, and influential states to assume their responsibilities.

It also called for an end to the attacks and a return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Netanyahu visited Israeli forces stationed on Mount Hermon in Syria on Wednesday, on the eve of the Hebrew New Year.

This is not the first time Netanyahu and ministers in his government have visited what Israel describes as security zones in Syria, which it seized after the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also visited the summit of Mount Hermon on August 25 and said Israeli forces would remain in the Syrian territories under their control for as long as threats to Israel persisted, stressing that the military “will not move from here.”

Israel maintains several military positions in southern Syria, citing security concerns and fears of facing a scenario similar to the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation from the Syrian border.

Israel has refused to withdraw from Syrian territory despite Damascus saying it does not seek escalation and calling for a return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between the two sides.

“Full Control”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces have full control over the area stretching from the summit of Mount Hermon to the Yarmouk River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Netanyahu said, “We are at the summit of Mount Hermon. Damascus is here, Lebanon is there, and the Syrian Golan Heights are there,” adding that this level of control “has never existed before,” according to the Israeli prime minister’s account on X.

He added that Israel would not allow any “terrorist army” to take control of its borders, describing this as one of the most significant achievements of its current war, which he called the “War of Redemption.”

Netanyahu made the remarks after receiving a briefing on operational activity at a forward military position overlooking Syria from Mount Hermon. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, with Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and 210th Division commander Brig. Gen. Yair Palai also present.