Jerusalem, Jan. 28 -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defense Forces would remain inside the Syrian buffer zone "indefinitely" while visiting troops there on Tuesday.

"The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, and all the residents of Israel," Katz said.

"We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria... we will act against any threat," he added.

Katz was visiting an army post on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, the highest point in the Golan Heights.

Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the bor...