Two Israelis caught by IDF after crossing Syria border, as Syria reports military raid in Quneitra

Two Israeli civilians were detained Monday after crossing into Syrian territory near Mount Hermon. IDF troops located them, returned them to Israel, and transferred them to police. The IDF condemned the crossing as a criminal offense. Separately, Syrian media reported an IDF raid in Quneitra that detained a Syrian resident. The incidents follow recent attempts by Israeli activists to establish settlements in Syria.

Two Israeli civilians were detained on Monday after crossing the border into Syrian territory near Mount Hermon, the IDF announced. Military troops dispatched to the Hermon located the two individuals, returned them to Israeli territory, and transferred them to police custody. The IDF condemned the crossing as a criminal offense that disrupted military operations and endangered troops, calling on law enforcement to prevent those involved from repeatedly entering the area. This incident follows several recent attempts by Israeli activists seeking to establish civilian settlements inside Syria. Around 100 activists were detained earlier this month after crossing into the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, with smaller groups making further attempts since then. Separately, Syrian media reported Monday morning that IDF troops entered the village of Taranja in northern Quneitra and detained a Syrian resident after searching homes. These developments occur as Damascus says it is seeking a security agreement with Israel and as the Trump administration pressures Israel to redeploy from areas of southern Syria held since the fall of Bashar Assad's government in December 2024.