Three settlement activists arrested after illegal entry into Syria

The Israeli military announced that three Israeli settlement activists illegally crossed into Syria from the Mount Hermon area on Monday morning. They were identified, returned to Israel, and subsequently arrested. According to the military, the three civilians crossed the border before being located by responding forces, returned to Israeli territory, and handed over to the police for further action. The individuals are members of the fringe group 'Pioneers of the Bashan', which advocates for the establishment of Israeli settlements in southern Syria. Members of this group have increasingly attempted to cross the border in recent months. Some had previously managed to evade Israeli forces for a full day before being apprehended and returned. The Israeli military described the incident as a 'serious disruption to operational activity', stating that such actions endanger the security of troops operating in the region. The military has called on law enforcement to prosecute those involved and prevent a recurrence of what it termed criminal behaviour. According to The Times of Israel, no formal charges have yet been filed against members of the group. Despite their illegal actions, some members of Israel's coalition parties have expressed support for the activists. Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, the Israeli military has established nine positions within southern Syria. While most are located in the UN-monitored buffer zone, Israeli forces have operated up to 15 kilometres inside Syrian territory. Israel states the purpose of this presence is to defend its border and seize weapons that could pose a threat if acquired by hostile forces. Syria has demanded an Israeli withdrawal, and reports indicate that US President Donald Trump has made similar requests.