IDF admits settler group crossed northern border and entered Lebanon earlier this month

The IDF acknowledges that a group of settler activists crossed the northern border and entered Lebanon earlier this month, close to the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras.

Initially, the military said that the activists set up an encampment near an Israeli border community and were eventually dispersed by soldiers, as the area was a closed military zone.

After investigating the matter further, the military says that “the civilians did indeed cross the blue line by several meters, and after being identified by IDF troops, they were dispersed.”

“This is a grave incident that is being investigated,” the army says.

“Any attempt to approach or cross the border into Lebanese territory without coordination endangers one’s life and harms the IDF’s ability to operate in the area and fulfill its mission,” the military adds.

A military source says that in recent weeks the army has worked to block various entry points into Lebanon along Israel’s border fence, and troops were updated on the procedures for civilians reaching the border area.