The IDF detained two Israeli activists from the Bashan Pioneers group on Monday after they illegally crossed the border from the Mount Hermon area into Syria. Troops located the pair, brought them back to Israel, and transferred them to police for investigation. The military condemned the crossing as a criminal act that endangers forces and disrupts operations.
The IDF on Monday at 13:46 Jerusalem time confirmed the detention of two Israeli activists from the Bashan Pioneers group after they illegally crossed the border from the Mount Hermon area into Syria. The military labeled the incident a 'serious disruption' to operational activity, warning that such crossings endanger forces and interfere with missions. The detainees were transferred to Israel Police for questioning.
Initial reports from N12 journalist Guy Varon first noted activists re-entering the Mount Hermon area beyond the border. The IDF then confirmed the detention of two civilians, later identified as members of the Bashan Pioneers. The group has made repeated attempts to cross into Syria in recent weeks. As The Zioneer reported, the IDF detained activists from the same group on Thu Jul 9 after an overnight attempt near Mount Hermon, on Mon Jul 13 in the southern Golan Heights, and on Sun Jul 6 stopped about 70 activists attempting to cross at Mount Hermon. In several instances, the police released the detainees despite criminal offenses, according to reports.
The Bashan Pioneers advocate for establishing Israeli communities in southern Syria and have received backing from several lawmakers in Israel's governing coalition. The IDF has consistently condemned these crossings as criminal acts that endanger both civilians and troops.
No criminal charges have yet been filed against members of the group in connection with the repeated border crossings, and the police's history of releasing detainees remains a notable pattern.
6 developments
- StrongIDF confirms it prevented Israeli civilians from crossing into Syria at Mount Hermon
- 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
Source and signal
- Open-source intake