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Lebanon, Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh) in 1875

The historical photograph of Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh), taken in 1875 by Frank Mason Goode, highlights the beauty of nature and the serenity of the mountains before the modern developments that transformed the region. Mount Hermon stretches along the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, from Banias through the occupied Golan Heights to Wadi al-Harir, and it is the highest point on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Throughout history, the mountain has been known by several names mentioned in ancient and religious texts, such as “Hermon,” meaning “the sacred,” as well as “Senir” and “Sirion.” Its current name is believed to derive from its snow-covered peaks, which resemble a white turban, earning it the Arabic names “Jabal al-Thalj” (Mountain of Snow) and “Jabal al-Zaeem” (Mountain of the Leader), in reference to its elevation and prominence.

Mount Hermon is mentioned 15 times in the Old Testament under various names: “Hermon” by the Canaanites, “Sirion” by the Phoenicians, and “Senir” by the Amorites—reflecting its longstanding sanctity and historical significance.

As the highest point in Syria, the mountain has long held major strategic importance, offering a commanding vantage point over surrounding regions. It overlooks Damascus, the Syrian Desert, the Golan Heights, the Hauran Plain, the Hebron Mountains, the Sea of Galilee, the Hula Valley, and parts of Irbid Governorate, as well as southern Lebanon, the western Lebanon mountain range, and the Beqaa Valley. Its proximity to Damascus—only about 40 kilometers—made it a target of Israeli attacks after its occupation.

The mountain’s rugged terrain once hindered aerial surveillance due to the absence of radar coverage, making it a critical site for concealment and intelligence operations. It also holds spiritual significance for Christians, Jews, and the Druze community that inhabits many of the surrounding villages, underscoring its enduring religious and cultural importance.