Israeli Settlers Cross Into Syria, Military Returns Them

Fourteen Israeli civilians crossed from the occupied Syrian Golan into Syrian territory on Tuesday, before being apprehended and returned by the Israeli military. The incident occurred amid ongoing activities by Israeli settler groups seeking to expand their presence into Syrian territory. The Israeli military confirmed that the group reached the vicinity of the Alonii HaBashan settlement in the Golan, crossed the border, and were subsequently located and returned by military forces.

The military stated that the individuals would be handed over to Israeli police for further proceedings, without specifying their motives or the extent of their incursion into Syria. The army described the breach as a "serious disruption to operational activity" that endangered its forces and called for legal action to prevent recurrence, labeling the crossing a "criminal offense."

This event follows reports of increased activity by Israeli settler groups targeting Syrian territory. Concurrently, the Israeli military has been conducting its own incursions into Syrian border areas. Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli military vehicles entered areas in rural Quneitra, including the village of Saida al-Jolan, setting up temporary checkpoints and searching passersby, according to Syrian state media.

Further incursions were reported, with Israeli forces establishing a checkpoint at the Wadi al-Raqad dam and another patrol entering the town of Al-Rafid in Quneitra, reportedly searching homes near a UN post. These repeated Israeli military movements in southern Syria, adjacent to the occupied Golan, include temporary checkpoints and searches of homes and vehicles.

Israel has occupied most of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967. Damascus continues to demand Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory and adherence to the disengagement agreement.