LIVEBLOG: Israel reportedly seizes Syrian side of Mount Hermon
Earlier, IDF deployed in the Golan Heights buffer zone as the situation unfolds rapidly in Syria.
In a dramatic turn of events early Sunday morning, Syrian rebel forces entered Damascus as the Assad regime collapsed, with reports of government officials fleeing the capital and Iranian embassy staff evacuating. The rapidly unfolding situation has prompted Israel to strengthen its presence in the Golan Heights buffer zone, while simultaneously intercepting a missile from Yemen before it could enter Israeli airspace. Meanwhile, US intelligence agencies are closely monitoring Syrian chemical weapons sites amid concerns about their potential use as Damascus falls.
Video: Toppling of Hafez Assad's statue in Latakia / Credit: Arab media
December 8
15:30: The Saudi outlet al-Hadath quoted a security official claiming Israel has captured the Syrian part of Mount Hermon, the strategic mountain overlooking the Golan Heights, the Galilee, and the Damascus area. This is the first time Israel has been on that part of the mountain since the 1974 Disengagement of Forces agreement, which was signed after the Yom Kippur War. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Golan Heights to see up close how Israel was preparing for any contingency should there be spillover from the Syrian side.
1:36 p.m.: Israel Air Force reportedly striking in Damascus.
12:30 p.m.: Turkish foreign minister, when asked about Assad's fate, responds: "I cannot answer this question. We don't know. Likely outside Syria."
11:50 a.m.: Sources in Syria: President Assad may have been killed in plane crash during escape attempt.
11:21 a.m.: IDF spokesperson announces shift to online learning in four Druze localities in northern Golan Heights, declares closed military zones in specific agricultural areas, while studies in remaining Golan regions continue normally.
10:58 a.m.: Syrian state television announces: "The revolution has triumphed, the cruel regime has fallen."
10:41 a.m.: IDF spokesperson announces intention to seize and demolish apartment of terrorist Amar Odeh who carried out attack in Holon. The terrorist conducted an attack on Aug. 4, 2024, in Holon, killing Rina Daniv and Avraham Sumichi, and wounding two others.
9:50 a.m.: US President-elect Donald Trump addresses the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success. Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!"
Video: Syrians after the revolution in Bashar Assad's palace / Credit: Arab social
9:28 a.m.: After pressure from Forum Tikva of parents and siblings of Israelis kidnapped on Oct. 7, hostage families say: Netanyahu expected to meet today with Forum families who demand no partial deal and no concession of pressure points. Forum Tikva families will demand from the prime minister to condition any deal on receiving full information about the hostages.
9:15 a.m.: Syrian rebels remove Soleimani and Nasrallah posters from Iranian embassy building in Damascus.
9:09 a.m.: Education Minister Yoav Kish: "Given strategic change in our region following Assad regime's fall, uncertainty and many challenges facing the prime minister and State of Israel, I call on judges and prosecution to reconsider postponing the prime minister's court appearance by three months. Given dramatic changes, insistence on holding hearing during this period would be wrong and irrelevant."
9:01 a.m.: Syrian prime minister leaves his residence to meet with rebel representatives for transfer of power.
(After reading the entire bible, it confirmed my belief 40 years ago, America should stay out of the Middle East forever. They will never stop killing each other. I will never stop believing it)
https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/12/08/liveblog-idf-deploys-forces-in-buffer-zone-in-golan-heights/