CNN reports that Israel wasted no time after the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to destroy Syrian military assets it wanted to keep out of the rebels’ hands – striking nearly 500 targets, destroying the navy, and taking out, it claims, 90% of Syria’s known surface-to-air missiles.
It is the Israel Defense Forces’ (“IDF”) capture of Syria’s Mount Hermon summit, however, that may prove among the most lasting prizes. The summit of Mount Hermon is a strategically critical location for military operations, because according to the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security Director Efraim Inbar, it is “the highest place in the region, looking upon Lebanon, upon Syria [and] Israel.”
The summit of Mount Hermon lies in a formerly UN-controlled buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces for fifty years, that is, until last weekend when the IDF took control of the summit following Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow and departure. [See FGGAM’s December 9, 2024 reporting HERE.]
Regarding Israel’s operations in Syria, Israeli Brigadier General Israel Ziv (Ret.) stated that in the post-October 7, 2023 world, Israel was not going to take any chances regarding security and that “we have learned what happened in other countries when you have a terror organization that captures military equipment.”
The CNN article may be read in its entirety HERE.
According to Got Questions, the significance of Mount Hermon in the Bible is that some Bible scholars consider it to be the site of Jesus Christ’s transfiguration (Ref. Matthew 17:1-8); it marked the northern limits of the Promised Land conquered by Joshua; and it formed the northern border of Israel in general.
Additionally, King David compared God’s people living together in unity to the dew of Mount Hermon falling on Mount Zion (Ref. Psalm 133:1–3), comparing the refreshing dew of Hermon to the blessings of unity in Israel. Mount Hermon is also noted for its wildlife in the Bible (Ref. Song of Solomon 4:8).
The Got Questions article on Mount Hermon may be read in its entirety HERE.
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
Matthew 17:1-8 (NKJV)
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘[t]his is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘[a]rise, and do not be afraid.’ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
Psalm 133:1-3 (NKJV)
Blessed Unity of the People of God (A Psalm of David)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is [f]or brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, [r]unning down on the beard, [t]he beard of Aaron, [r]unning down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, [d]escending upon the mountains of Zion; [f]or there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”
Song of Solomon 4:8 (Amplified Bible)
“Come away with me from Lebanon, my [promised] bride, [m]ay you come with me from Lebanon. Journey down from the top of Amana, [f]rom the summit of Senir and Hermon, [f]rom the dens of lions, [f]rom the mountains of leopards.”