IDF holds three settler activists who crossed Syrian border

HaBashan Pioneers tried to breach the Syrian border on July 22, with the IDF stopping the activists before they reached the Syrian Hermon.

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

JULY 29, 2026 16:35

Updated: JULY 29, 2026 17:03

The IDF detained three Israeli activists from the HaBashan Pioneers settler movement after they crossed the Syrian border near Mount Hermon on Tuesday, the military announced on Wednesday.

An earlier Army Radio report indicated the activists spent only several hours inside Syrian territory on Wednesday morning before IDF forces located them.

The activists were returned to Israeli territory and transferred to police custody, the IDF said, adding that the military strongly condemns such incidents because they interfere with operations and endanger everyone involved.

The IDF stressed that police must pursue charges for the activists criminal offense to discourage similar future attempts.

The event represents the fourth recent effort, whether successful or not, by the settler activist group to enter Syria.

The HaBashan Pioneers have sought to establish Jewish settlements in Syria, and several members have been arrested in recent weeks during separate border crossing attempts.

A recent unsuccessful border attempt after reported drone incident

Most recently, HaBashan Pioneers activists tried to breach the Syrian border on July 22, with the IDF detaining them before they reached the Syrian Hermon.

On July 21, five HaBashan Pioneers members were targeted by IDF Elbit Hermes 450 Zik drones in the Israel-Syria border area before being identified as Israelis, according to a KAN News report.