IDF: 3 settlement activists crossed into Syria, were apprehended a day later

Three Israeli settlement activists illegally crossed the border into Syria and spent nearly a full day there before being apprehended by Israeli troops.

According to the IDF, the trio crossed the border in the Mount Hermon area last night.

Troops in the area searched for them, but only located them this morning. The forces detained the civilians and handed them over to the Israel Police for further questioning, the IDF says.

The military says there has been an increase in attempts by activists to cross the border into Syria in recent weeks. The activists, who call themselves the Bashan Pioneers, call for establishing settlements in the area.

“The IDF strongly condemns this incident, which is another serious disruption to operational activities and poses a risk to the safety of IDF troops operating in the area,” the military says.

The IDF says “law enforcement authorities must bring those responsible to justice to prevent these individuals from repeatedly engaging in this type of criminal conduct.”

There have been no charges filed against the Bashan Pioneers members, and despite their illegal actions, they have received support from some coalition lawmakers.