Occupation Army Minister: We Will Remain on Mount Sheikh to Protect the Golan

Sada News - The Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, confirmed that the Israeli army will continue to be stationed on Mount Sheikh and in the necessary security areas to protect the communities of the Golan and Galilee from any potential threats, noting that this is the lesson learned from the events of October 7.

Katz explained that Israel will also continue to protect the Druze community in Syria, emphasizing that a potential agreement does not mean the withdrawal of forces from sensitive areas, despite media reports regarding the 1974 ceasefire talks.

The Israeli army currently occupies nine settlement and military sites within Syrian territory, including seven in the Liberation Authority area and two on Mount Sheikh, with preparations to establish additional sites, reflecting Israel's commitment to maintaining a military presence under the pretext of ensuring the strategic security of the Golan and the border area with Syria.

Katz's statements come as Israel seeks to reach a security agreement with Syria through direct talks mediated by the United States, according to Israeli Channel 12.

Reports indicate that both parties are nearing the signing of the expected agreement by the end of September, under the auspices of Washington and Gulf states.

The agreement aims to ensure stability in Syria, distance it from Iranian influence, and reduce threats on Israel's northern border, according to the Israeli report.

At the same time, Israeli military incursions continue in southern Syria, where a force reached the town of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside, about 50 kilometers from the capital, and took control of Tal Bat al-Warda on Mount Sheikh before spreading in the town and firing in the air.

Similar movements were observed in the Quneitra countryside, where occupation forces infiltrated the town of Al-Rafid and established a checkpoint at its eastern entrance, before withdrawing from Breika two hours after entering.

Local reports indicate that Israel's nearly daily incursions include the towns of Koudna, Al-Asha, Al-Rafid, Taranja, and Jabata al-Khashab, where forces are leveling agricultural lands and creating new trenches, raising concerns among residents about the expansion of these military movements.