IDF locates three Israelis who crossed from Mount Hermon to Syria, military says
The IDF condemned the civilians’ behavior, explaining that such additional incidents disturb IDF operational activity in the area.
Three Israeli civilians entered Syrian territory near Mount Hermon overnight on Tuesday, according to the military. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) quickly located and returned the individuals to Israel, placing them under police custody. The IDF firmly condemned the crossing as a criminal act that not only disrupted operations but also endangered troops.
This incident is part of a series of similar breaches. On July 27, the IDF apprehended two Israelis who had crossed the border. Syrian media separately reported that Syrian troops had arrested a Syrian citizen during an overnight raid in the Quneitra area. The military stated that troops dispatched to Mount Hermon found the two individuals, returned them to Israeli territory, and transferred them to police custody.
On July 29, the IDF reported that it had detained three Israeli settler activists from the "HaBashan Pioneers" settlement movement after they crossed the Syrian border in the Mount Hermon area. However, an earlier Army Radio report suggested that the activists had only spent several hours in Syrian territory before being located by the IDF.
Two other civilians were returned by IDF troops on July 30. The repeated crossings have predominantly involved activists attempting to establish Israeli settlements in Syrian territory. Military officials have warned that these incursions divert troops and surveillance resources from border-defense operations and risk exposing both the civilians and soldiers sent after them to potential attacks.
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