During a visit to an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) base on Mount Avital on the Golan Heights, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was told by senior IDF officials that Syrian rebel forces, among them Salafists, have taken up positions along the border with Israel, with the exception of the Quneitra enclave which is still in the hands of the Syrian army.
“We are monitoring the changes taking place in Syria, and there are many changes taking place, and they affect Israel’s security,” Netanyahu said.
He said Israel was interested in creating a physical barrier with Syria similar to the one build in the South.
“We are monitoring the changes taking place in Syria, and there are many changes taking place, and they affect Israel’s security,” he said.
Netanyahu was updated on the security fence being erected from Mount Avital south to the point where the Israeli, Syrian and Jordanian borders meet on the southern Golan Heights.
"I would like to examine the possibility of extending this fence up to Mt. Hermon so that there will be a strong buffer along the length of our border with Syria. Of course we are monitoring what is happening on the other side of this buffer inside Syria regarding the rebels taking over and any movements vis-à-vis the chemical weapons. This is not only an Israeli matter. We are in close contact with the US on this issue. This is a strategic interest for both countries," the Prime Minister said.