IDF Observation Base 'Astra' (Mt. Hermon Ridge)

 Israel Defense Forces (IDF), military radar

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Situated at frontier observation hill fort overlooking the village of Shebaa in southern Lebanon, this location is home to both a radio eavesdropping station of IDF Field Intelligence (Northern Command) and a Radar Station operated by Unit 8200 staff. It also serves as a forward deployment base for units of the Barak Armor Brigade.

The Israeli military position known as "Astra" is located at approximately 1800m above sea level and probably includes radar, communications and intelligence facilities for Israel’s ground and air forces. Until the summer of 2000 the site was located a few hundred meters south west of its current location but following Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, a UN marking of the border in the area determined that the original position is on Lebanese territory. Consequently, the Israelis withdraw from it, not before blowing it up. The remains of the original Astra position can be seen just south west of the current one.