The Syrian government accused Israel on Monday of deploying 60 soldiers to seize control of territory inside Syrian borders near Mount Hermon, calling the operation a violation of its sovereignty and a growing threat to regional security.
An Israeli military spokesperson denied the allegation, stating that troops had conducted a “routine activity” in southern Syria but had not entered Beit Jin, an area close to the Lebanese border and near Mount Hermon.
The incident comes as the U.S. is mediating talks between the two countries aimed at reducing tensions in southern Syria. Damascus has expressed hope that such negotiations could eventually pave the way for broader political dialogue.
According to Syria’s Ministry of Defense, the alleged Israeli operation took place on a strategic peak near Beit Jin, where residents reported that six Syrians were detained. Israel, however, insisted that it made no arrests, clarifying that only one individual was briefly questioned after being identified as a potential security threat.
The area around Mount Hermon is known for arms smuggling routes linked to Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other jihadist factions. Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran, is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries.
Israel has long cited security concerns for its repeated military operations inside Syria since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. These operations, Israel argues, are partly aimed at protecting the Druze minority in southern Syria.
In January, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli forces would “remain on Mount Hermon forever.” Since then, Israel has effectively established a de facto security zone in the area, conducting patrols, raids, and surveillance in local villages.
The situation adds to a volatile regional landscape, where clashes last month in Sweida province left hundreds dead in fighting between Druze militias, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces.
