Israeli forces to remain in Syria-Lebanon border area, says defence minister

Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israeli forces will continue occupying the Jabal al-Sheikh area (Mount Hermon) along the Syria-Lebanon border for “as long as there are threats” in order to “ensure our security”. During a visit to the area, Katz said that the forces “look down on Damascus, 35 kilometres away; look down on the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon and Hezbollah’s stronghold; and, of course, watch over and protect the communities of the Golan Heights and the Galilee”, according to Israel National News. “The message is clear to the president of Syria as well: When you wake up in the morning in your palace in Damascus and look up at Mount Hermon and see the [Israeli army], you know that we are here to protect our communities and our border,” Katz said.