Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz delivered a stern message to Syrian President Ahmad Sharh from the summit of Mount Hermon on Wednesday, stating that Israeli forces would not withdraw from their strategic positions in the security zone. He further hinted at the possibility of a new strike on Iran if deemed necessary by Tel Aviv.
Appearing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video from Mount Hermon, Katz declared, “I am here again at Mount Hermon, this time with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
He emphasized that Israeli troops operate from this location to protect the Galilee and Golan Heights towns, while also monitoring what he referred to as a “Hezbollah stronghold” in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.
Direct Message to Syrian President
Addressing the Syrian President directly, Katz stated: “We are here to send a very strong and clear message to the Syrian president, who is sitting 35 kilometers from here in his palace in Damascus: We are here at Mount Hermon, and we are in the security area.”
He insisted that Israeli troops “will not move from here,” justifying their continued presence by citing potential threats posed by jihadist groups across the Syrian border or within Syria itself.
Katz noted that the Israeli army conducts continuous operations to thwart what he described as jihadist infrastructures, aimed at securing the towns of the Golan Heights and the Galilee.
New Threat to Iran
Katz’s warnings were not limited to Syria, as he issued a fresh threat towards Iran, declaring Israel’s readiness to strike again.
“Iran is in the background; we have struck it twice, and when needed, we will strike it a third time to continue thwarting threats,” he said.
The Israeli defense minister claimed that Israel had foiled the Iranian nuclear threat and inflicted damage on Tehran’s strategic capabilities, promising to continue countering what he described as regional threats to Israel.
He added that Israel would continue to confront the “Shiite axis led by Iran” and the “Muslim Brotherhood axis,” with the goal of ensuring Israeli security.
Katz’s remarks from Mount Hermon come amid ongoing tensions on the Syrian front, with Israel firmly maintaining its military presence within the buffer zone, raising concerns that this presence could become a major point of contention between Damascus and Tel Aviv.