Kawkaba military base, Military fortress in South Lebanon.

Kawkaba military base sits on the western ridge of the Hermon slopes, at the edge of the village of Kawkaba. Until 1994 it was an IDF outpost, typically held by a regular platoon with an 81 mm mortar team and a platoon-sized armored force. Its position overlooked the Zomraya crossing between the security zone and Lebanon, and the road junction near the Syrian border.

Kawkaba outpost was held by the IDF until early 1994, when Israel transferred responsibility for the security zone to the South Lebanon Army. It then joined the SLA's Hatzbiya battalion (Battalion 30), under the Eastern Brigade of the liaison unit. On 28 February 1999 a Hezbollah charge hit a convoy near the outpost, killing Brig. Gen. Erez Gerstein, his radio operator, his driver and Israel Radio reporter Ilan Roeh. SLA Battalion 30 abandoned it during the Israeli withdrawal in May 2000.

The outpost was part of the Hatzbiya Battalion (SLA Battalion 30) under the Eastern Brigade of the liaison unit to Lebanon. Its task was to guard the central road junction of the eastern sector near the Syrian border, and it overlooked the Zomraya crossing between the security zone and Lebanon.

The site sits on elevated ground and is not freely accessible today as it remains a former military compound. Visitors should check with local authorities beforehand to understand any access restrictions that may apply.

On 28 February 1999, a convoy carrying the IDF liaison officer to Lebanon, Brigadier General Erez Gerstein, was hit by a powerful Hezbollah charge near the outpost. Gerstein, his radio operator, his driver and an Israeli radio reporter were killed. The outpost overlooked the Zomraya crossing between the security zone and Lebanon.