The IDF said Sunday evening it stopped about 70 civilians belonging to the 'Bashan Pioneers' activist group as they attempted to cross the border into Syria near Mount Hermon. The group, which advocates for establishing Israeli communities in Syria, has made several similar attempts over the past year. The military described the incident as serious and transferred the detainees to police for questioning.
Sunday evening, the IDF detained approximately 70 Israeli civilians — members of the activist group 'Bashan Pioneers' — who attempted to cross the border into Syria near Mount Hermon. The military condemned the attempt as a serious criminal offense and transferred the detainees to Israel Police for questioning. The development marks the latest in a series of similar attempts by the group, which advocates for establishing Israeli settlements in Syrian territory.
The Zioneer first reported the incident at 22:22 Jerusalem, citing journalist Itay Blumenthal, who said about 70 activists of the 'Pioneers of Bashan' movement tried to cross the border Sunday afternoon. The IDF's 210th Division, acting on prior intelligence, intercepted the group near the border. Within minutes, the IDF confirmed the detention and transfer of the civilians to police, and by 22:22 the military condemned the attempt as a criminal offense. An update at 23:12 Jerusalem identified the group as 'Bashan Pioneers' and noted its history of similar attempts.
The group, as The Zioneer reported, has made several attempts to cross into Syria over the past year, advocating for the establishment of Israeli communities there. The IDF has described these attempts as endangering both soldiers and civilians.
The investigation remains ongoing. No further details on the identities of the detainees or potential charges have been released.
7 developments
- ConfirmedIDF detains settler activists after overnight attempt to cross into Syria at Mount Hermon
- ConfirmedIDF detains 'Bashan Pioneers' settlers attempting to cross into Syria in southern Golan Heights
- DevelopingTwo Israeli civilians cross into Syria near Mount Hermon; IDF retrieves, condemns incident
- StrongFive Bashan Pioneers activists arrested near Mount Hermon in border crossing attempt
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