Israel Vows to Maintain Military Presence on Syrian Border Amid Jihadist Threat

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the country will not reduce its military presence on the northern front or withdraw forces from the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue to operate on Mount Hermon and in a security zone within Syrian territory, Katz stated, emphasizing that Israel has no intention of relinquishing these positions.

"We will remain on Mount Hermon and in the security zone as long as the jihadist threat to the border and Israeli communities exists. The Golan Heights are under Israeli sovereignty and are forever an integral part of the State of Israel," Katz declared. He reiterated that IDF forces would stay in these areas as long as the threat from jihadists persists.

Katz also indicated that in the event of a renewed attack from Syria, Israel might permanently retain control of occupied positions in accordance with international laws of war. These statements followed a speech by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Earlier, Katz had also responded to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's accusations at the UN General Assembly, where Erdogan criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. Katz urged Erdogan not to interfere in Israel's internal affairs and criticized Ankara's regional stance, noting Erdogan's failure to condemn Iranian missile strikes on Turkish territory.