The IDF detained several Israeli settlers on Wednesday for attempting to cross into Syrian territory, the military said.
The Israelis, who had attempted the border breach from the Hermon area, were transferred to the Israel Police for further processing. It was the settler group’s third time attempting to cross into Syria.
The military said that it “strongly condemns” the attempted crossing, describing it as a”criminal offense that endangers civilians and IDF forces.”
The incident follows a KAN News report on Tuesday that the IDF nearly fired upon five of the group’s members near the Syrian border two weeks ago, amid suspicion that they may have been a terrorist squad attempting to infiltrate Israel.
The settlers were set to be targeted by IDF Elbit Hermes 450 “Zik” drones before being identified as observant Jews due to their peyot (side curls), KAN reported.
Israeli settlers try to infiltrate Syria for third time
HaBashan Pioneers activists have been trying to establish Jewish settlements in Syria. Several groups of activists were arrested in recent weeks for multiple separate border crossing attempts.
On Friday, the IDF detained several Israeli civilians for illegally crossing into Syrian territory from the Majdal Shams area, the military said, following an overnight search operation.
Ruby Sadikman contributed to this report.
