Israel Defense Minister Katz Rejects Syrian Claims on Golan Heights

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded Wednesday to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's assertion at the UN that the Golan Heights would remain Syrian territory. Katz stated unequivocally that the strategic plateau is "an integral and eternal part of Israel" and ruled out any withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Mount Hermon or the security zone within Syrian territory.

Katz emphasized that the IDF would remain in these positions as long as a "jihadist threat" to Israel's border and communities persists, whether from Syrian security forces or other groups operating in the country. He recalled that these areas, captured by Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, were returned to Syria under the 1974 disengagement agreement. However, Katz argued that Syria has since violated the terms of this agreement, particularly by becoming "an Iranian base and a threat to Israel and its borders."

The Israeli military deployed forces to the buffer zone following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, citing the need to protect its border. Defense Minister Katz issued a warning to Damascus, stating that if an attack were launched against Israel from Syrian territory, any land captured would be held permanently, in accordance with the laws of war.

Katz's remarks followed Syrian President al-Sharaa's address to the UN General Assembly, where he demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the buffer zone and reiterated Damascus's claims to the Golan Heights. Israel captured the Golan Heights in 1967 and annexed it in 1981, a move not recognized by most of the international community.