Occupation Defense Minister tours southern Syria: We will stay here and will not leave Mount Hermon

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Israeli occupation forces stationed in southern Syria on Tuesday, pledging to maintain their presence in the area and not to withdraw from Mount Hermon “as long as there are threats.” Damascus condemned the visit, describing it as an “illegal intrusion” and a violation of the country’s sovereignty. In remarks during the visit, Gallant said that Israeli occupation forces carry out “daily operations to thwart what it described as threats and to prevent the entrenchment of a presence that poses a danger.” In response, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned Gallant’s illegal entry into Syrian territory, considering his crossing of the international border a blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Damascus called on the international community to take measures to compel Tel Aviv to halt its repeated violations.