Israel's Defense Minister Vows to Keep Golan Heights Permanently

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded forcefully to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, during which Assad claimed the Golan Heights are Syrian territory and called for international action against Israel's presence.

Katz declared that the Golan Heights, which he stated are under Israeli sovereignty, are an inseparable part of Israel forever. He clarified that Israel will not withdraw from Mount Hermon or the security zone in Syria, areas Israel captured during the Yom Kippur War and which were subject to a disengagement agreement in 1974. Katz asserted that Syria violated the agreement by becoming an Iranian base and posing a threat to Israel.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered the Mount Hermon salient and the security zone in Syria to counter threats from jihadist groups. Katz stated that Israeli forces will remain in the area as long as Israeli communities face danger from Syrian security forces or other jihadist organizations.

Concluding with a stern warning, Katz stated that any attack on Israeli forces or territory from Syria would result in a severe response. "If they attack our forces or the territory of the State of Israel from within Syria, we will be forced to act and respond, and any territory we take this time will remain ours forever, in accordance with the laws of war. We will not allow Syria to become a threat to the State of Israel, and we will act to prevent it as required," he said.