Israeli political sources revealed that Israel has told Syria, during their ongoing talks, that it intends to maintain control over the Syrian peaks of Mount Hermon, at the junction of the Lebanese border, describing the positions as “an indispensable strategic asset” that overlooks the Golan Heights and supply routes into Lebanon.

Damascus rejected the demand, calling Israel’s presence on Syrian land an “occupation that must end.”

According to an Israeli official quoted by Israel’s Channel 12, the army views the positions it seized early this year as a “strategic treasure.” From these peaks, Israeli forces claim to monitor movements of hostile groups allegedly plotting attacks resembling Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel.

The official said troops have seized “tons of weapons” over the past eight months from vantage points on Mount Hermon, including during a raid last week 38 kilometers inside Syria near Damascus, where they captured large stockpiles of arms.

Officers told Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth on Sunday that the peaks allow direct observation of sensitive Syrian military sites.

Despite modern surveillance technologies such as drones and satellites, the army insists the mountain ridges provide unique oversight of smuggling routes into South Lebanon, which Israel calls Hezbollah’s “logistical lifeline.”

The army has since established eight military outposts five to ten kilometers inside Syrian territory.

A recent raid, dubbed Operation Green-White, penetrated 38 kilometers deep and lasted 14 hours, involving reserve units from the 210th Division and the Druze battalion Herev 299. Israeli officers said the raid targeted two large unmanned Syrian bases that were filled with heavy weapons and munitions.

Reserves from the 210th Division reportedly hauled back 3.5 tons of explosives and arms, part of more than seven tons collected by the Israeli “Mountain Brigade” from Syrian territory in recent months.

Planning has already begun for a follow-up raid expected to face higher risks, with goals extending beyond arms seizures to disrupting Hezbollah’s supply chain.

Israeli media reports also emphasized contacts with Druze villagers near Damascus during the latest operation. The army claimed locals in Rakhla welcomed Israeli troops, requested protection from armed factions, and provided intelligence on weapons caches in exchange for humanitarian aid.

Officers said such encounters reinforce Israel’s narrative of “protecting Druze communities” in southern Syria.

The Israeli military argues that its presence hampers hostile groups from exploiting the collapse of Syrian government control in the area. Officers say the captured peaks also offer surveillance over the Damascus-Beirut highway and Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, described as Hezbollah’s “logistical rear base.”