The IDF said Friday evening that several Israeli civilians attempted to cross the border into Syria in separate incidents over the past day in the southern Golan Heights. The civilians were detained by troops and handed over to police. The military warned of a growing pattern that diverts attention from operational activity and harms security, according to N12 reporter Nitzan Shapira.
The IDF on Friday evening warned that a rise in border-crossing attempts by Israeli civilians into Syria diverts operational attention and harms security, according to N12 reporter Nitzan Shapira. The warning caps a series of developments reported by The Zioneer throughout the evening: several Israeli civilians crossed into Syria near Majdal Shams on Thursday, spent about a full day inside Syrian territory, and were located and detained by IDF troops on Friday evening. The military also prevented additional crossing attempts in the southern Golan Heights on Friday. The IDF has updated the public repeatedly, with each report adding detail to the evolving incident.
The Zioneer's first report at 22:42 Jerusalem time said the IDF had detained civilians who crossed into Syria and blocked further attempts. Within minutes, subsequent reports confirmed the civilians crossed on Thursday, remained in Syria for a full day, and were taken into custody Friday. The IDF also warned that the pattern diverts resources from operational activity and endangers security. By 22:49 Jerusalem, the warning was attributed to N12, emphasizing the security impact.
These incidents follow a pattern of similar attempts by Israeli settler activists, as The Zioneer reported on Jul 13, when 'Bashan Pioneers' activists were detained in the southern Golan Heights, and on Jul 9, when a similar attempt occurred at Mount Hermon. The military has repeatedly condemned such actions as criminal offenses that endanger lives and disrupt operations.
The number of civilians involved and their identities have not been officially disclosed. The motivation for the crossings remains unclear, and the police investigation is ongoing.
11 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
- DevelopingIsraeli security forces apprehend illegal residents
- DevelopingIDF estimates incident near Syria border approaching conclusion
Source and signal
- Internal intake