IDF arrests Israelis after crossing into Syria from Golan Heights
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said that its troops detained 10 Israeli civilians after they crossed the border from the occupied Golan Heights into Syrian territory.
According to the IDF, soldiers operating in the area located the civilians inside Syria, returned them to Israeli territory, and handed them over to the Israel Police for further handling.
“The IDF strongly condemns this incident and emphasizes its severity, which constitutes a criminal offense that endangers civilians and IDF soldiers,” the military said in a statement.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported that this was the fourth attempt within 24 hours by activists affiliated with a group known as “Habashan Pioneers” to cross the border into Syria.
The group is described by Israeli media as one of several movements advocating for the establishment of Jewish settlements inside Syrian territory.
The incident comes weeks after a similar case in which around 40 Israeli civilians reportedly gathered in the Golan Heights and attempted to cross into Syria.
At the time, the individuals managed to move several hundred meters into Syrian territory before being apprehended by the military. They were subsequently returned to Israel and transferred to police for questioning.
Israeli media reports identified the individuals in both incidents as members of the same group.
No Syrian authority has commented on the crossings.