Israel army returns dozens of Israeli settler activists who entered Syria

Footage from Israel’s public broadcaster Kan showed dozens of Israelis from the “Pioneers of Bashan” organization “barricading themselves on a roof on the outskirts of the Syrian village of Hader.” (@kann_news screengrab)

• Military says around 40 people gathered near Israel’s northern border before crossing into Syrian territory

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said it apprehended and returned dozens of Israeli civilians who had briefly crossed into Syria on Wednesday, with Israeli media reporting that the group were activists from a settler organization.
The military said around 40 people gathered near Israel’s northern border before crossing into Syrian territory and continuing for several hundred meters.
It said Israeli soldiers returned the group to Israel, apprehending them and handing them over to police.
“The IDF strongly condemns this incident and emphasizes its severity, which constitutes a criminal offense that endangers civilians and IDF troops,” the military said.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan posted footage on X which it said showed dozens of activists from the “Pioneers of Bashan” organization, who were “barricading themselves on a roof on the outskirts of the Syrian village of Hader at the foot of Mount Hermon.”
The “Pioneers of Bashan” is a fringe settlement organization that wants to establish Israeli settlements in southern Syria.
The group posted a photo on X appearing to show activists on a rooftop on Wednesday with the caption: “Without civilian settlement, even the military hold won’t last long-term. We’re here until they approve our families to enter and live here.”
Kan reported that it was not the first time a group from the organization had crossed the border.
“In similar incidents in the past, there was no condemnation of the organization’s activities from the prime minister or the defense minister,” it added.
After the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel moved its forces into the UN-patrolled demilitarized zone on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, and has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria as well as regular incursions.