The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are preparing to deploy to several areas along the Syrian border, including the summit of Mount Hermon and the wider buffer zone between Israel and Syria, as local media reported 12 ceasefire violations in Lebanon.
IDF shifts forces on Lebanon and Syria borders
The IDF is preparing to deploy to several areas along the Syrian border, including the summit of Mount Hermon and the wider buffer zone between Israel and Syria.
The development follows the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria on December 8 and a ceasefire with Lebanon on November 27. The truce is expected to last 60 days, by which time Israel must withdraw from Lebanon unless new fighting with Hezbollah breaks out.
On the Syrian front, Israeli troops have taken the highest part of Mount Hermon, just above 2,800 metres, which formerly belonged to Syria. Israel has held part of the mountain since 1967, but not the highest point. Now Israeli troops are preparing for winter in the harsh conditions of the peak.
The uppermost part of Mount Hermon is barren and there is bitter cold, often accompanied by strong winds, as well as light snow that usually covers the area for up to two months. IDF troops are prepared for these conditions, as they previously maintained several fortified mountain posts. In addition, in April 2024, the IDF established a mountain brigade to reinforce forces on Hermon and neighbouring Mount Dov, an operational necessity in the face of the Hezbollah threat.
“Eyes” of Israel
On December 17, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz visited the peak of Mount Hermon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Katz called the mountain the “eyes” of Israel, as it overlooks much of Syria and Lebanon from its height. He said:
“The IDF is here to protect the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of the State of Israel from any threat, from the most important place where it is possible to do so.”
The meeting on the mountain was also attended by IDF Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Major General Ori Gordin, head of Israel’s Northern Command, and other key Israeli military and intelligence officials. The event emphasised Israel’s decision to remain in the area for the foreseeable future and to strengthen fortifications along the border.
Lebanon counts 12 more Israeli violations of ceasefire
The Israeli army on Tuesday committed at least 12 more violations of Lebanon’s ceasefire, which took effect last month and ended more than a year-long cross-border war with Hezbollah, local media reported.
According to the official Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), the violations were concentrated in the areas of Tyre, Marjayoun and Hasbaiyya in southern Lebanon, and in the areas of Rachaiya and Western Bekaa in the east.
The violations included airstrikes, drone and fighter flights, house demolitions, bulldozing in the streets and artillery shelling. In the Tyre region, an Israeli drone struck a car in the town of Majdalzoun, injuring three people.
The Israeli army also bulldozed several roads and destroyed a house in Naqoura town. Several houses were destroyed in the town of Kfarkela.
While artillery struck the towns of Kfarshouba, Halta and Sheba in the Hasbaiyya area, warplanes flew over the Rahaya and West Bekaa areas at medium altitude.
Lebanese authorities reported 248 Israeli violations of the truce since it came into force on November 27. Since then, Israeli attacks have killed at least 30 people and injured 37 others, according to Anadolu calculations based on health ministry data. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel must withdraw its troops south of the Blue Line, the de facto border, in stages, and the Lebanese army must deploy to southern Lebanon within 60 days.
According to Lebanese health authorities, since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,000 people and injured more than 16,500, while displacing more than 1 million others.
