<P> Mount Hermon is a cluster of mountains with three distinct summits, each about the same height . The antilibanos (anti-Lebanon range), of which the Hermon range constitutes the southernmost part, extends for approximately 150 km (93 mi) in a northeast - southwest direction, running parallel to the Lebanon range on the west . The Hermon range covers an area of about 700 km (270 sq mi) of which about 70 km (27 sq mi) are under Israeli control . Most of the portion of Mount Hermon within the Israeli - controlled area constitutes the Hermon nature reserve . The entire relatively narrow range, with the Lebanon - Syria boundary along its spine, extends from 25km northeast of Mt . Hermon to 45km southwest of it . </P> <P> The mountain forms one of the greatest geographic resources of the area . Because of its height it captures a great deal of precipitation in a very dry area of the world . The Jurassic limestone is broken by faults and solution channels to form a karst topography . Mount Hermon has seasonal winter and spring snow falls, which cover all three of its peaks for most of the year . Melt water from the snow - covered mountain's western and southern bases seeps into the rock channels and pores, feeding springs at the base of the mountain, which form streams and rivers . These merge to become the Jordan River . Additionally, the runoff facilitates fertile plant life below the snow line, where vineyards and pine, oak, and poplar trees are abundant . </P> <P> The springs, and the mountain itself, are much contested by the nations of the area for the use of the water . Mount Hermon is also called the "snowy mountain," the "gray - haired mountain", and the "mountain of snow". It is also called "the eyes of the nation" in Israel because its elevation makes it Israel's primary strategic early warning system . </P> <P> The Epic of Gilgamesh mentions that Mount Hermon split after Gilgamesh kills Humbaba, the Guardian of the Cedar Forest . One translation of Tablet V states, "The ground split open with the heels of their feet, as they whirled around in circles Mt . Hermon and Lebanon split ." </P>

The geographical location of israel was strategic in ancient times because