Just days before Christmas, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a decades-old Christian cross atop Mount Hermon, known in Arabic as Jabal al-Sheikh. The site, long referred to as "The Cross," has been a significant pilgrimage destination for Christians from the region and around the world. An Israeli soldier reportedly stated, "We really didn’t like it, and we were worried that from now on, no one would have a reason to see a cross there or call this place ‘The Cross.’"

The act follows Israel's takeover of the strategically important mountain after the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power. Mount Hermon, a critical observation point between Syria and Lebanon and a vital water source, holds deep historical and spiritual significance. In the Hebrew Bible, it marks the northern border of the so-called Promised Land, while in the Book of Enoch, it is the site where fallen angels descended to take human wives. Many also believe it to be the location of Jesus' transfiguration, as described in the New Testament.

This latest move demonstrates Israel's ongoing desecration of holy sites and cultural landmarks in occupied territories, further erasing the region's religious and historical heritage.