world
IDF Detains Israelis Who Crossed into Syria from Golan Heights
The Israeli military detained civilians who crossed or attempted to cross into Syrian territory from the Majdal Shams area on Friday. The detentions follow a reported rise in such attempts this month.
Jul 17, 5:30 PM·1m read1 source
JE
Audio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The IDF detained several Israeli civilians on Friday for illegally crossing into Syrian territory from the Majdal Shams area, the military said. The civilians had crossed on Thursday and were transferred to the Israel Police for further processing. On the same day, the IDF detained multiple Israelis who attempted to cross into Syria from the Golan Heights.
The military strongly condemns the crossings and attempted crossings, saying they divert IDF soldiers from ongoing operational activities and compromise security. Such actions constitute a criminal offense that endangers civilians and IDF soldiers, the military added, and it expects disciplinary actions against the suspects by Israeli law enforcement authorities.
The incidents follow several similar events this month.
On Monday the IDF detained several Israelis after an attempted crossing into Syria. On July 5 about 100 activists from the right-wing HaBashan Pioneers movement were detained after crossing into the Syrian side of Mount Hermon. The IDF stated it has identified a recent increase in illegal border crossing attempts into Syria, both successful and unsuccessful.
