Israel has announced that its troops will remain in southern Syria for an unlimited time period, solidifying its hold on the Golan Heights. Defense Minister Israel Katz made the announcement following the collapse of the Assad regime and the rise to power of Ahmad al-Sharaa, the interim president of Syria's new government. Israel is uncertain about al-Sharaa's intentions and is unwilling to accept uncertainty and allow threats to develop. The Israeli government may feel confident enough to declare an indefinite presence in Syria, but there is no real sovereign authority in the country at the moment.