JERUSALEM (VINnews) — IDF officials are warning of a growing security problem caused by repeated attempts by settlement activists to cross Israel’s borders, saying the incidents divert troops from operational missions, expose military deployments and increase the risk of kidnappings and escalation.

The phenomenon, which began with unauthorized attempts to enter the Gaza Strip, has expanded to Israel’s northern borders with Syria and Lebanon. The Uri Tzafon organization is demanding that Israel establish settlements in Southern Lebanon, stressing that they will provide security for Northern Israel, while Chalutzei HaBashan have a similar demand in Syria – to protect the Golan by establishing civilian communities over the border.

In the latest incident Tuesday, 15 Israeli civilians, most of them teenage girls, crossed into Lebanon near the village of Ghajar before being located by security forces, according to a Ynet report.

The search took place as the IDF was responding to a deadly incident in Majdal Zoun, where two reservists were killed and four others seriously wounded by an explosive device inside a booby-trapped building.

Military officials said large forces, including the Dvora reconnaissance unit of the 91st Division, were forced to divert from other missions to locate the civilians. One of the girls remained missing inside Lebanon for about four hours before being found.

“This is getting out of hand,” a senior Northern Command officer said. “It directly draws attention away from missions.”

The officer said troops preparing for operations such as ambushes or arrests can suddenly be redirected to search for civilians who crossed the border.

“You prepare a force for a mission, for a night in an ambush or to carry out an arrest, all to defend the border and protect residents. Then an incident like this develops, and you are drawn into it for hours. The mission is delayed or does not happen. This is a real blow to security.”

Officials said the crossings create additional dangers beyond the diversion of forces, including revealing military deployments and response times to hostile groups.

“That could be exploited in the future for attacks,” one official warned.

Another officer said the problem often begins before the actual crossing.

“They arrive at night, damage locks and gates, cause destruction and simply go inside,” he said. “They have no set hours. They take advantage of developments in the sector and show up without warning.”

Security officials stressed that the activists are exposing themselves to serious risks, including abduction, explosive devices and encounters with hostile operatives.

“Their entry is not merely entry into a closed military zone,” one official said. “Imagine if one of them were abducted into Syria or deeper into Lebanon. Where would that take the sector, and where could it drag the country?”

The military also raised concerns over unauthorized crossings into Syria, where activists have attempted to enter areas across Israel’s northeastern border.

“In Syria, the danger is significantly greater because the area is freely accessible to the enemy and to local residents,” one official said. “The activists break through fences and risk being kidnapped.”

IDF officials also criticized the police response, claiming there is insufficient deterrence.

“The same people return again and again,” a northern officer said. “We go inside, arrest them, call up forces, including special forces, and invest enormous effort in catching them and handing them over to police. But in the end, nothing is done.”

The officer said many suspects are released within hours without significant legal consequences.

“They are detained for a few hours, and it even turns the arrested activist into a hero,” he said.

Reservists from the Dvora unit also expressed frustration, saying some were called away from family vacations to assist in searches while other troops were engaged in combat-related missions.

Officials warned the phenomenon could increase as Israel approaches elections.

“We do not hear anyone in the government condemning these incidents or saying that they are wrong and harm operational continuity,” a senior security official said. “As the election gets closer, we are taking into account that this will intensify.”

He added: “This has to be addressed now, and these people must not be given backing. It is possible to demonstrate a presence and wage a political struggle, but not this way.”

Residents of Ghajar described seeing large numbers of troops and police enter the village during Tuesday’s search.

One resident told Ynet: “I think the religious Jews will end up taking over Lebanon too.”

He said the group had arrived at a nearby lookout point before moving toward the border. “I feel sorry for the children and women. It is very dangerous,” he said. “All the army and police forces came to our village. Believe me, they are crazier than we are.”

Police rejected the military’s criticism, saying investigation files from recent incidents had been transferred to prosecutors and were awaiting decisions on possible indictments.

Police officials said courts often release suspects shortly after arrest and argued that stronger coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors and the judiciary is needed to create deterrence.

They also emphasized that responsibility for securing Israel’s borders rests with the IDF.