Settler activists illegally cross Syrian border, are returned to Israel by IDF troops

More than a dozen settler activists illegally crossed the border into Syria in several incidents today, including ten a short while ago.

The military says that troops stationed in the area brought all of the suspects back to Israel, detained them, and handed them over to the police for further questioning.

“The IDF strongly condemns the incident and emphasizes that this is a severe event constituting a criminal offense that endangers civilians and IDF forces,” the military adds.

The activists, who called themselves the Bashan Pioneers, have breached the border and entered Syria numerous times in the past year. The group is calling to establish settlements in southern Syria, and it has received support from some coalition lawmakers.

ממשיכים בפעילות – שתי קבוצות נוספות עברו בדרך לכתר החרמון שלנו! ????️

כהמשך לפעילות א'-ב' סיוון, ימי שיחרור הגולן במלחמת ששת הימים, שתי קבוצות נוספות עברו בדרך לכתר החרמון שלנו! אחת נעצרה (ושוחררה מיד), והשנייה עדיין מטפסת על ההר! ????????????????

אנחנו קוראים לממשלה: אשרו לנו להתיישב בבשן! pic.twitter.com/EgXvnAzkWl

— תנועת חלוצי הבשן (@HaluzeyHabashan) May 17, 2026