JERUSALEM, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for a stay on the Syrian side of the Mount Hermon summit during the winter months, according to a statement issued by his office on Friday.
IDF troops had seized an outpost on the Syrian side of the mountain amid the collapse of Syria's Bashar al-Assad's government.
According to the statement, the directive to the army was given following a security assessment held on Thursday.
"Due to what is happening in Syria, our hold on Mount Hermon's summit is of enormous security importance," Katz said.
He added, "Everything must be done to ensure the IDF's readiness on the spot to allow the fighters to stay in harsh weather conditions." ■
