Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his forces will occupy territory for now they had taken over on the Syrian border.
Netanyahu, who spoke in a video address from Mount Hermon, during a trip with his defense minister and other Israeli officials said they were meeting in a state of emergency to discuss Israel’s future security.
“Their importance to Israel’s security has only strengthened in recent years, and especially in recent weeks,” he said, saying the troops would remain until “another deal” is found.
“We will determine the best deal that will ensure our security,” Netanyahu added.
israeli forces he passed the Golan Heights and in a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria last week after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in the war-torn country on December 8.
Assad, whose family ruled Syria in a brutal dictatorship for 50 years, was backed by Iran, Israel’s main adversary.
While Syria is now in the hands of a Turkish-backed opposition group, Netanyahu and Israeli officials said they were taking precautionary measures to safeguard their security.
Israel has also carried out heavy airstrikes against weapons and military infrastructure left behind by Assad.
Israel took the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and has occupied it ever since. The area between the region and Syria is considered a buffer zone.
Mount Hermon is a snowy ridge between Syria and Lebanon that is included in the buffer zone and was recently captured by Israeli forces.
Netanyahu visited the mountain site on Tuesday with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz; Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi; Ori Gordin, the head of the northern command; and head of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar.
