Army Radio reports that over 150 Israeli civilians have been caught by the IDF crossing into Syria in recent months across 17 separate incidents, including minors as young as 15 and 17. Despite the volume, only three cases have been transferred to the State Attorney's Office for potential prosecution, with police refusing to disclose investigation data. The IDF has criticized law enforcement for failing to adequately address the phenomenon.
The report, published Thursday morning by Army Radio (N13) correspondents Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh, draws on IDF data documenting a sharp rise in the phenomenon of Israeli civilians crossing the border into Syria. According to the military, at least 17 border-crossing incidents have occurred in recent months, involving more than 150 suspects. The IDF has caught and transferred these individuals to police, but enforcement has been inconsistent: many suspects, including minors, are released without investigation, and some allegedly cross repeatedly.
As The Zioneer has previously reported, individual incidents of Israelis crossing into Syria have been recorded since at least June, including the detention of three civilians on July 29 and a series of earlier cases. The new data provides the first comprehensive picture of the scale of the problem and the gap between military enforcement and judicial follow-up. Police refused to cooperate with Army Radio's request for statistics on investigations or repeat offenders.
The IDF has publicly criticized law enforcement's handling of the phenomenon, described as one of the military's main challenges on the Syrian front. The three cases now under review by the State Attorney's Office were transferred only in recent days, with prosecutors weighing whether to file indictments.
3 developments
- DevelopingIDF urges law enforcement to act decisively against 'this phenomenon'
- DevelopingIDF prepares for several days of fighting, says Iran violated ceasefire
- DevelopingIDF accuses Hezbollah of another 'blatant' ceasefire violation
- DevelopingMilitary source reports another case of serious disruption to IDF operations
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