Middle East
Israel declares indefinite presence in occupied Syrian territory

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz reiterated the message that the occupation of Syria’s Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh), under Israeli occupation, will be permanent, stating that the army is making preparations for this.
Visiting Jabal al-Sheikh and speaking to the Israeli state television channel KAN, Israeli Foreign Minister Katz pointed to the Syrian territories occupied by Israel and said, “We are staying here indefinitely.” Katz drew attention to recent events in Syria and claimed that they had detected threats to Israel’s security. Katz asserted, “We are detecting more threats in Syria (for Israel’s security).”
Stating that the Israeli army is making preparations to continue the occupation, Katz admitted that there are two Israeli army posts deep within Syrian territory. Katz claimed that the Israeli air force had carried out attacks on approximately 40 targets in the region to ensure that there were no armed elements in southern Syria.
Continuing his efforts to draw the Druze in Syria to Israel’s side, Katz said, “We will take action to eliminate any threat against the Druze.”
Meanwhile, it was reported that about a hundred members of the Druze community from Syria would visit Israel over the weekend.
It was stated that the Druze coming to Israel would make a religious trip and visit graves. It was also noted that Katz’s previously announced permission for Syrian Druze to enter the occupied Golan Heights to work would be implemented in the coming days.