Netanyahu says Israel close to defeating Iran's regime from Mt. Hermon

September 10, 2026 at 03:38 PM2 min

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli military positions on the Syrian side of Mt. Hermon on Wednesday and said Israel is close to defeating Iran's leadership. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai. Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the visit as an illegal incursion into Syrian territory.

Key Facts

Netanyahu said the main task is to defeat the "terrorist regime in Iran" and that Israel is "very close" to it.
The visit took place on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, September 9, 2026, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
Netanyahu stated that Israel controls the entire area from the Hermon Crown to the Yarmouk River and from there to the Mediterranean Sea.
Syria's Foreign Ministry called the visit a "provocative step" and a "flagrant violation" of Syrian sovereignty and international law.
Netanyahu was briefed by Head of Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo and 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Palai on operational activity in the sector.

The Mt. Hermon Visit

Netanyahu arrived at the Syrian side of Mt. Hermon on Wednesday with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai. He was briefed at an IDF outpost overlooking Syria by Head of Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo and 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Palai. The Prime Minister's Office said the visit took place on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, September 9, 2026. Netanyahu described the view from the position: "Damascus is right here, Lebanon is right there, the Syrian Golan Heights are right there."

Statements on Iran

Netanyahu said the main task is to defeat the "terrorist regime in Iran" and that Israel is "very close" to it. He added that "the entire axis will ultimately fall" and that Israel is committed to doing this. He also said Israel will not allow any terrorist army to establish itself on its border. Netanyahu stated that Israel controls the entire area from the Hermon Crown to the Yarmouk River and from there to the Mediterranean Sea.

Syrian Reaction

Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the visit as an illegal incursion into Syrian territory. The ministry called it a "provocative step" and a "flagrant violation" of Syrian sovereignty and international law. Official Damascus described the visit as an illegal invasion. In December 2024, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the Israeli army occupied the UN buffer zone that had separated the sides since 1974.