The Israeli army said Sunday that it carried out a cross-border operation from the Syrian side of Mount Hermon toward the “Rous” mountain area inside Lebanese territory in the Shebaa Farms, in a move reflecting a push to expand operations into more complex terrain.
Israel has occupied the Syrian Hermon since the 2024 fall of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.
According to an Israeli military statement, a mountain commando unit climbed in snowy conditions to comb the area, gather intelligence and identify field infrastructure.
The move goes beyond a limited reconnaissance operation, because the elevated terrain allows oversight of wide areas and opens new routes that go beyond traditional front lines.
Geographic advantage and pressure on the south
A source familiar with developments told Asharq Al-Awsat that the most notable shift is the entry of Israeli forces via the Mount Hermon axis — a step long anticipated in military scenarios due to its geographic advantage.
The route allows potential advances toward the western Bekaa or a flanking maneuver down toward Kfarchouba on the mountain’s western slopes.
“This route could effectively sever geographic links between southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa within a relatively short time,” the source said.
Retired Brigadier General Naji Malaeb warned that the most dangerous scenario would be using the axis to encircle the south or cut supply lines between southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa, directly affecting Hezbollah’s logistical structure.
“The operational trajectory remains open, but the next phase carries significant risks of escalation,” he stated.
He added that Mount Hermon’s importance lies in being the highest elevation under Israeli control, offering broad intelligence-gathering capabilities to monitor missiles and drones and strengthen surveillance systems.
Malaeb said limited infiltration operations in mountainous terrain may aim to draw Hezbollah into deploying forces there to prevent wider incursions, while also opening the door to a new front.
Challenges of ground confrontation
The source said a key development could be opening a front toward the Bekaa through positions along the Syrian border near Mount Hermon, potentially expanding the scope of clashes and engaging Hezbollah on an additional front.
He warned that any incursion from the Syrian side into Lebanon — and any response — could place the Syrian army in a sensitive position, as any exchange of fire could be interpreted as targeting Syrian territory, requiring a clear stance from Damascus.
So far, there are indications that Syria is seeking to avoid involvement and has reiterated its rejection to allow its territory to be used in regional conflicts, reflected in reinforced deployments along its borders.
Avoiding dragging Syria into the conflict remains a key factor in preventing wider escalation, the source underlined.
