Two arrested as settler activists organize repeated crossings into southern Syria

Two Israeli civilians were arrested after crossing into Syria from Mount Hermon on Thursday, the latest in a series of 16 illegal crossings involving over 150 suspects. The right-wing Bashan Pioneers movement, which advocates for Israeli communities in southern Syria, said further groups are en route. The IDF condemned the crossings as a criminal disruption to operations.

Two Israeli civilians were arrested on Thursday after crossing the border into Syrian territory from the Mount Hermon area, the IDF confirmed. The two were detained and transferred to police, marking the latest in a series of 16 illegal crossing attempts involving over 150 suspects over recent months. The IDF strongly condemned the incident as a serious disruption to operational activity that endangered troops, calling for prosecution to prevent recurrence. The right-wing Bashan Pioneers movement, which advocates establishing Israeli civilian communities in southern Syria, said Thursday's incident was the second evacuation within 24 hours of a site it calls 'Tal Hermon.' According to the movement, activists returned immediately after Wednesday's evacuation and were detained again. 'The next group is already on its way,' the movement stated. An organizer told the Post that over 1,000 activists had participated in movement activities, with hundreds taking part in actions carrying detention risk. Five activists remained in custody as of Thursday; others were released under restrictions including house arrest and exclusion from the Golan Heights. The organizer accused police of confiscating phones and discriminating against right-wing activists compared to anti-government demonstrators and Druze who crossed into Syria last year. The IDF characterized the crossings as a recurring criminal phenomenon.