Israel to Maintain Control Over Golan Heights Amid Security Threats

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel will not weaken its northern defense posture or withdraw troops from the Golan Heights. The Defense Ministry leadership reported Katz's statement, emphasizing that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain on Mount Hermon and within the security zone in Syrian territory.

Katz stated, "We will remain on Mount Hermon and in the security zone as long as the jihadist threat to the border and Israeli settlements exists." He argued that the 1974 agreement has lost its relevance as Syria has become a source of threat to Israel's border.

"The Golan Heights are under Israeli sovereignty and are forever an inseparable part of the State of Israel," Katz asserted. He reiterated that the military would stay in the designated areas until the jihadist threat to the border and Israeli communities is neutralized.

Katz further warned that if a new attack originates from Syrian territory, Israel would permanently retain control of any captured positions, in accordance with the laws of war. This firm stance follows statements made by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his address at the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York. Assad demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory and asserted that the Golan Heights remain Syrian land.

Prior to his UN address, Assad had alluded to the possibility of peace with Israel, but conditioned it on the withdrawal of Israeli units from southern Syria.