Israeli troops have been ordered to “prepare to remain” throughout the winter in a UN-patrolled buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces in the strategic Golan Heights.

“Due to the situation in Syria, it is of critical security importance to maintain our presence at the summit of Mount Hermon,” a spokesman for Israel Katz, Israel’s defence minister, said on Friday.

On Sunday, Israeli forces took control of the demilitarised zone and the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, which overlooks Damascus, in a move that the UN said violated its 1974 armistice with Syria.

Israel later confirmed its troops had moved to “additional points” beyond the buffer zone to protect its border, although it remains unclear how far into Syrian territory they have advanced.

Mr Katz said that Israel aims to impose a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria that would be enforced without a permanent troop presence.

Antonio Guterres, UN chief, said he was “deeply concerned” on Thursday over “extensive violations” of Syrian sovereignty and by the hundreds of Israeli strikes on the country.