Overview
- The prime minister led a high‑level delegation including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, IDF Chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet director David Zini to an IDF post overlooking Syrian territory.
- He received an operational assessment, held a security discussion with senior officials, and met regular and reserve troops, praising their work securing the northern front.
- Kan and other outlets reported an impasse in indirect talks: Syria’s transitional leader Ahmed al‑Sharaa seeks an Israeli withdrawal, while Israel links any exit to a full peace agreement rather than a limited security arrangement.
- UN officials and several governments criticized the visit and Israel’s deployment as violations of the 1974 disengagement accord, and Syria demanded immediate withdrawal.
- Israel has maintained forces in the buffer zone and on Mount Hermon since December 2024, and Defense Minister Katz said on Nov. 16 that the troops will remain.