In a setting that looks more like an Arctic wars movie than the hot reality of the Middle East, an elite Israeli unit specializing in alpine operations has been sent on a delicate mission on the mountainous border between Syria and Lebanon, where clashes with Iran-backed groups continue to escalate.
Israeli soldiers look like ice explorers rather than combatants in a modern conflict/PHOTO:X
Clad in white camouflage suits and trudging across snow-covered ridges, the soldiers look more like explorers of the ice than combatants in a modern conflict. However, Israeli special forces have been deployed right in this frozen area, where the steep terrain and extreme temperatures turn every mission into a survival challenge, writes the Daily Mail.
For the first time, the activity of these “climbers” was made public – a little-known but extremely well-trained unit that intervened to counter the attempts of some terrorist groups to take control of disputed territories.
Using their expertise in difficult terrain and operations in extreme cold, the soldiers traversed the route between Mount Hermon in Syria and the Mount Dov area in southern Lebanon on foot through deep snow. The steep slopes and icy conditions made the mission look more like a scene from an action movie than an actual military intervention.
The reconnaissance operation required special skills, which set this unit apart from the rest of the Israeli armed forces. The military also used skis to move faster through what the Israeli military described as “complex mountainous terrain.”
For weeks, Israeli forces have been engaged in clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters, but they are unable to match the advanced techniques of the alpine unit in winter conditions.
Mount Hermon, located on the border between Syria and Lebanon, was occupied by Israel in December 2024 after the fall of the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Currently, Israel maintains military bases on Syrian territory, justifying this presence by the need to intercept arms deliveries.
What is Israel after?
The Israeli state aims to establish a forward defensive line in southern Lebanon to protect its border communities. Hermon is considered a key strategic point, being nicknamed the “eyes of the country” due to its dominant position over the region and its role in preventing attacks.
The Alpinist Unit consists of hundreds of reservists who specialize in combat and training in severe winter conditions. According to the Israeli military, they use special equipment, including snowmobiles, and train for months for secret missions.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Israeli army said the operation was launched in response to repeated attempts by terrorist organizations to consolidate in the border area. The military operated in extreme conditions, carrying out a precise mission from Hermon Ridge to Mount Dov.
The images released show the soldiers fighting not only the enemy, but also the hostile nature. In some footage, they are shown wading through waist-deep snow as they climb steep slopes to gather intelligence and identify terrorist infrastructure in the area.
With an altitude of over 2,700 meters, Mount Hermon offers a strategic perspective on the entire region. The Alpinist Unit operates under the command of the 810th Brigade of the Israeli army, having both an offensive role, through incursions into disputed areas, and a defensive role, to protect the civilian population.
This action comes in the context of a joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran and its allies, which has entered its fifth week, with no clear prospects for resolution, either militarily or diplomatically. Given that US President Donald Trump could authorize ground operations, the conflict risks expanding significantly.
A possible direct intervention of American troops on Iranian territory would mark a major escalation, and this could be accompanied by new Israeli incursions into Lebanon and Syria, where reservists of the Alpine unit would once again face Hezbollah fighters.
