Israel Opens New Incursion Route into Lebanon via Syrian Mount Hermon
The Israeli military has opened a new incursion route into Lebanon by advancing from the Syrian-controlled side of Mount Hermon, targeting the “Rous” mountain area in the Shebaa Farms region.
According to an official Israeli statement, a mountain commando unit carried out the operation through difficult snowy terrain to gather intelligence and map Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
Tactical Military Analysis
This development is strategically significant. By using the Syrian flank of Mount Hermon, Israel has created a new axis of advance that allows it to threaten Hezbollah positions from the east, potentially flanking traditional defensive lines along the Blue Line.
Key tactical implications:
- Mount Hermon provides commanding elevated observation posts over large parts of southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa Valley.
- The route could enable Israel to disrupt Hezbollah supply lines between southern Lebanon and the Bekaa.
- It puts additional pressure on Hezbollah to defend a wider front, stretching its resources.
- The operation also places the Syrian army in a sensitive position, as any escalation could occur on what is technically Syrian territory.
Retired Lebanese Brigadier General Naji Malaeb described the move as highly dangerous, warning that it could lead to a broader encirclement of southern Lebanon.
Background
The area has been under Israeli control on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024. This latest operation marks a clear expansion of Israeli activity beyond the traditional Israel-Lebanon border.
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