Due to harsh winter weather and logistical difficulties, the Israeli army removed the permanent garrison on Hermon Summit's outpost, relying on occasional patrols to secure the asset. The vacating of the outpost was noticed by the Syrians, who started paving a road toward the summit in late March 1974. For the two months of April and May 1974, in parallel to the armistice negotiations, the conflict in the salient escalated to days of almost full combat.