Two Israeli civilians held after border breach into Syria amid separate Quneitra raid reports

Military personnel on Mount Hermon found the pair, escorted them back across the border, and handed them over to police custody.

BySARAH BEN-NUN

JULY 27, 2026 14:58

Two Israeli civilians were apprehended Monday after they crossed into Syrian territory near Mount Hermon, the IDF confirmed, while Syrian outlets separately noted an arrest of a local resident during an overnight operation in the Quneitra zone.

According to the military, forces sent to the Hermon area located the individuals, guided them back into Israeli territory, and transferred them to police.

The IDF described the crossing as a criminal act that interfered with operations and put soldiers at risk, urging law enforcement to block repeat visits to the zone by those involved.

Israeli civilians attempting to establish settlements in Syria

The event follows multiple recent efforts by Israeli activists to set up civilian outposts inside Syrian territory. Roughly 100 activists were held after entering the Syrian portion of Mount Hermon earlier this month, and smaller groups have tried again since.

In a separate development, Syrian media reported Monday that IDF troops entered the village of Taranja in northern Quneitra, searched homes, and detained one Syrian resident.

The incidents occur as Damascus pursues a security pact with Israel and the Trump administration urges Israel to withdraw from parts of southern Syria occupied after the collapse of Bashar Assad's government in December 2024.