IDF Troops Brave Snowy Patrols on Mount Hermon as Storm Byron Hits | WATCH

During the first significant snowfall of the season blanketing Israel's northern frontier, soldiers from the elite "Mountains" Brigade (Kfir Brigade) ventured out on routine patrols this morning, turning a routine security sweep into a picturesque, if perilous, winter operation against the backdrop of Storm Byron's unrelenting fury.

Viral footage released by the IDF Spokesman's Unit captures the troops trudging through fresh powder at elevations above 2,000 meters, their olive-green uniforms dusted white as they navigate fog-shrouded trails and icy outposts.

"The snow started falling around dawn - it's beautiful, but it makes every step a challenge," said Cpl. Kfir Sabag, a veteran Hermonite stationed at 2,100 meters where temperatures hovered around 2°C. "We're ready for anything: snow, threats, or both. This is the most stunning place to serve, guarding the front line."

The unseasonal dump, the earliest heavy snow since November 2024, coincides with Byron's peak onslaught, a Mediterranean cyclone that has already shattered rainfall records: Zikhron Yaakov logged 77mm overnight, Tel Aviv 66mm, and flash floods are swelling southern streams like the Besor and Tzin.

In Tel Aviv, a fallen tree crushed a parked car; in Zikhron Yaakov, a minibus hydroplaned into a flooded road, but no serious injuries were reported.

The Israel Meteorological Service forecasts 100-150mm more through Thursday night, with gale-force winds up to 90 km/h, isolated thunderstorms, and heightened flash-flood risks in the Judean Desert, Dead Sea wadis, and northern Arava, urging drivers to avoid low-lying roads and residents to steer clear of beaches, basements, and underground parking.

The IDF, anticipating the deluge, preemptively furloughed soldiers from remote southern bases Tuesday to ensure safe homeward travel before the worst hits, while equipping frontline units with winter gear for low-visibility ops amid mud, fog, and extreme cold.

Home Front Command remains on high alert, coordinating rescues and monitoring flood-prone zones, with rescue teams scaled up for potential evacuations.

Byron, fresh from flooding Greece (where it snapped bridges and swamped villages last week), is expected to linger into Friday, gradually weakening but leaving behind a sodden landscape – a rare wintry gift as Hanukkah lights flicker through the storm.

The Hermon video, blending stark duty with serene snowscapes, has racked up millions of views on social media, offering a momentary morale boost: "From the peaks to the people, we're holding the line, rain or shine," the brigade captioned. Stay tuned for updates as Byron barrels on.