Three Israeli civilians crossed the border into Syria near the Mount Hermon region overnight before being located by IDF forces and returned safely to Israeli territory. The three were subsequently detained and turned over to the Israel Police for further investigation.
According to the IDF, the incident occurred during the overnight hours when the three Israelis entered the Mount Hermon area and crossed the international border into Syria. Troops dispatched to the scene quickly located the individuals and escorted them back into Israel.
Following their return, the three civilians were detained and transferred to the Israel Police for further handling.
The individuals are affiliated with the Bashan Pioneers movement, which has been attempting to establish a civilian outpost at a site it calls “Tal Hermon.”
In a statement, the Bashan Pioneers movement said, “Tonight, a group of activists from the Bashan Pioneers movement was once again detained near the makeshift encampment they established at the location where the movement is trying to build ‘Tal Hermon.’ Over the past month, Bashan Pioneers activists have reached the site many times and have also been evacuated and arrested on several occasions.”
Before they were detained, the activists defended their actions, saying that Jewish settlement is essential to maintaining Israel’s long-term security in the area.
“Jewish settlement is the only way to guarantee the IDF’s hold on the area, and the only way to achieve that is through determination to maintain a presence on the ground. Arrests and intimidation will not stop us. It is better to make the effort now than, in a few short years, to see soldiers dying here as they died in southern Lebanon during the days of Shamir and Peres.”
The movement also criticized the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, arguing that it was focusing on the wrong issue.
“The IDF Spokesperson’s campaign continues trying to distract from the real story. The real story is that if these teenagers and young adults are crossing the border again and again, the current security method is clearly not working. Instead of fences and cameras, the area should be filled with a natural civilian presence.”
The IDF sharply condemned the border crossing, describing it as a serious disruption to military operations and a danger to both troops and the civilians involved.
“The IDF strongly condemns this incident, which constitutes yet another serious disruption to operational activity and poses a danger to the security of IDF forces operating in the area. Law enforcement authorities must fully prosecute those involved in order to prevent these civilians from repeatedly engaging in this criminal activity.”
{Matzav.com}