The IDF said Wednesday it detained several Israeli civilians who attempted to cross into Syria near Mount Hermon, condemning the incident as part of a recurring criminal phenomenon that endangers lives and disrupts operations. The detainees were transferred to the Israel Police. The military called on law enforcement to prosecute those involved and act decisively to stop the pattern.
The IDF on Wednesday evening called for the prosecution of Israeli civilians detained after attempting to cross into Syria near Mount Hermon, describing the incident as part of a "recurring criminal phenomenon" that endangers lives and disrupts operations. The detainees were transferred to the Israel Police. The military's statement, published at 16:39 Jerusalem, followed initial reports of three Israelis being detained.
The incident is the latest in a string of border-crossing attempts by activists associated with the "Bashan Pioneers" group, which advocates for Israeli settlement in Syria. As The Zioneer has reported: On July 6, the IDF stopped about 70 activists near Mount Hermon (00:47 Jerusalem, July 6). On July 9, activists were detained after an overnight attempt (16:39 Jerusalem, July 9). On July 13, a similar attempt was foiled in the southern Golan Heights (22:24 Jerusalem, July 13). On July 18, several Israelis who had crossed into Syria were detained (01:27 Jerusalem, July 18). On July 21, military observers halted an airstrike moments before launch after realizing the suspected infiltrators were activists from the group (05:43 Jerusalem, July 21). The IDF has repeatedly condemned the attempts as serious criminal offenses.
The group's activities continue despite the risks and legal consequences. The identities of the civilians detained in Wednesday's incident have not been publicly released, and the investigation is ongoing.
10 developments
- ConfirmedIDF detains settler activists after overnight attempt to cross into Syria at Mount Hermon
- StrongIDF detains Israelis who crossed into Syria
- StrongIDF detained 70 'Bashan Pioneers' activists attempting to cross into Syria at Mount Hermon
- StrongReport: IDF averted accidental strike on Israeli activists at Mount Hermon overnight
Source and signal
- Internal intake