The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have intercepted and repatriated a group of 13 settlers who illegally crossed the border from Israel into Syrian territory. The incident occurred on Thursday when members of a group identifying as the ‘Pioneers of the Bashan’ used angle grinders to breach the border fence at two separate locations before driving vehicles into Syria with declared intentions of establishing new settlements.
According to military reports, five individuals crossed in the Mount Hermon region while eight others entered near the Syrian village of Bir Ajam within the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. IDF troops responded promptly to both incursions, locating the civilians shortly after the breach. The military statement acknowledged that some settlers ‘clashed’ with soldiers during the apprehension process.
All suspects were ‘safely returned to Israeli territory under IDF escort,’ according to an official communiqué that strongly condemned the incident as ‘a grave incident constituting a criminal offence’ that endangered both civilians and military personnel.
The ‘Pioneers of the Bashan’ organization, established in April 2025, advocates for Jewish resettlement in the historical Bashan region of southern Syria, referenced in biblical texts as territory allotted to Israelite tribes. This marks at least the second border breach attempt by the group, following a similar incident in August when members crossed into Syria with intentions to establish ‘Neveh Habashan’ settlement.
An open WhatsApp group associated with the movement, cited by Haaretz newspaper, indicates the group formed ‘after recent developments in Syria’ and seeks to realize ‘our historical right to the lands that were once lost to us.’ Following the apprehension, the group posted on social media platform X, stating: ‘God be praised, we had the privilege of walking through the Bashan – the land of our forefathers,’ while urging the Israeli government to permit their settlement activities, claiming it would ‘bring security to the Golan and to all of Israel.’