The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the entry of Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, into the country, calling it an “overt violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and saying it is contrary to international laws and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces agreement.

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, Damascus urged the international community to take action to stop violations of Syrian sovereignty and for Israeli forces to fully leave the areas of this country, returning to the line of disengagement of forces.

Previously, The Times of Israel reported that during a visit to Israeli forces in southern Syria, Kats said that the army of this country would not withdraw from Mount Hermon and the security area as long as “jihadist threats” continue.

Kats, addressing Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the Syrian government, said the presence of Israeli forces in this area conveys a clear message that Israel will be there to defend communities and its borders there.