WATCH: Netanyahu on Fall of Assad Regime in Syria: ‘Great Opportunity, Significant Dangers’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Israel-Syria border on Sunday and issued a statement calling the fall of the Assad regime “a historic day for the Middle East,” pointing to both opportunities and dangers.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said:

Today is a historic day for the Middle East. The fall of the tyrannical Assad regime in Damascus presents great opportunities, but also grave dangers. This collapse is a direct result of our armed action against Assad's main supporters, Hezbollah and Iran. It set off a chain reaction of all those who wanted to be freed from this tyranny and its oppression.

But it also means we must take action against possible threats. One of these is the collapse of the military separation agreement signed between Israel and Syria in 1974. This agreement remained in place for 50 years. It fell apart last night. The Syrian army abandoned its position. We have ordered Israeli forces to occupy these positions to prevent hostile forces from entering the immediate vicinity of Israel's borders. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable placement is found.

Similarly, we send a hand of peace to all those beyond Syria's borders: Druze, Kurds, Christians and Muslims who wish to live in peace with Israel. We will be following events closely. Our hope is to build neighborly and peaceful relations with the emerging powers in Syria. But if not, we will do whatever it takes to protect the State of Israel and Israel's borders.

As reported by Breitbart News, the IDF has moved into the demilitarized zone to thwart attacks by Syrian rebels. Israel Army Radio also reported that the Israel Defense Forces had captured the summit of Mount Hermon on the Syrian side.