Israeli military will remain on Syrian territory

The Israeli military will remain on Syrian territory near Mount Hermon, according to an announcement from Defence Minister Israel Katz. This decision follows an operation where Israel deployed soldiers to seize a strategic hilltop, an action Syria has called a violation of its sovereignty. Katz defended the military presence as necessary to protect Israeli communities in the Golan and Galilee, citing the events of 7 October 2023 as the primary justification.