Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the country’s military to remain in the area of Syria’s Mount Hermon until at least the end of 2025, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNN on Wednesday.

Israel will remain on the strategic Mount Hermon site on the Syrian border until another arrangement is found, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Israeli troops occupied Mount Hermon when they moved into a demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights following the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government this month.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli troops will remain stationed on the strategic Mount Hermon near the Syrian border until alternative security arrangements are established. The statement follows Israel’s occupation of the site earlier this month after the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Syria's former leader Bashar al-Assad has apparently issued his first statement since being ousted from power. He says he never intended to leave Syria as rebel forces were closing in but Russia decided to evacuate him.