Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for a stay at the peak of the Syrian side of Mount Hermon for the winter months, citing security concerns.
"Due to what is happening in Syria, there is a huge security importance to our holding of the Hermon peak and everything must be done to ensure the IDF's preparations in the area, to allow the troops to stay there in the difficult weather conditions," a statement from Katz's office showed.
Katz previously instructed the military to take over the buffer zone separating Israel and Syria in response to ongoing unrest in the latter country.
