Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israeli forces will remain in a buffer zone on the Syrian border until a new arrangement guarantees Israel’s security. 

The Prime Minister made the remarks while touring Mount Hermon, located about 10 kilometers inside Syrian territory near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. 

The buffer zone, covering about 400 square kilometers, was seized by Israeli forces following the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The zone had previously been a demilitarized area established under a 1974 ceasefire agreement and monitored by the United Nations (U.N.).

Netanyahu, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, said Israeli troops are fortifying their positions. Katz described Mount Hermon as “the eyes of the state of Israel,” underscoring its strategic value for monitoring regional threats.

While Israeli officials insist the occupation is temporary, no timeline has been provided for a withdrawal. The seizure of the buffer zone comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and complex ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.

The U.N. criticized Israel’s actions, calling them a violation of the 1974 agreement. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated: “Occupation is occupation, whether it lasts a week, a month, or a year.”

Germany also condemned the move, with its foreign minister citing it as a breach of international law.