Israelis cross into Syria again and are removed; IDF: They must be prosecuted to prevent recurrence
Activists from the 'Halutzei HaBashan' movement infiltrated Syrian territory again and stayed overnight. IDF forces returned them to Israel. Despite previous detentions, no legal action was taken, leading the IDF to state: 'This is a criminal offense; law enforcement must prosecute those involved.'
Three citizens belonging to the 'Halutzei HaBashan' movement were identified crossing the border into Syria last night. After spending the night there, IDF forces located them and returned them to Israeli territory. They were subsequently detained for police questioning.
This movement, which advocates for establishing settlements in Syria and Lebanon, has become a security risk for IDF soldiers | Article from '7 Days' in 'Yedioth+'.
The IDF condemned the act, defining it as 'a serious disruption to operational activity and a danger to the security of forces operating in the area.' The IDF further demanded that 'law enforcement agencies must prosecute those involved to prevent these citizens from repeating this phenomenon, which constitutes a criminal offense.'
Activists of the Bashan region aspire to establish a settlement in parts of Syria and are attempting to mobilize public opinion. They have infiltrated Syrian territory dozens of times, sometimes by sabotaging border chains, locks, and fences. While they are occasionally arrested and transferred to the police, they are rarely prosecuted and are subsequently released. The IDF is deeply concerned, explaining that these actions divert attention and hinder operational activity. There is a significant fear that during one of these unauthorized entries, they could be hit by enemy fire, an explosive device, or even kidnapped, leading to a much larger incident. According to the IDF, this is an 'irresponsible group.'
In August 2025, a group of about 40 people—nine families from the Golan Heights, Samaria, and Hebron—arrived at the Golan buffer zone to hold a cornerstone-laying ceremony for a new settlement called 'Neve HaBashan,' named after the city of Nawa in southern Syria. During that event, seven young men crossed the border into Syria, planted an Israeli flag and a sign, and were evacuated by the IDF. They were caught and questioned by police but released the following day.
