Israeli settlers attempt to cross into Syrian side of Hermon, detained by IDF

The IDF detained about 100 activists of the HaBashan Pioneers settler movement who crossed from the Israel-Syria buffer zone into the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, the group announced on Sunday.

The military confirmed the incident later on Sunday, saying that it "strongly condemns the attempted border crossing."

The activists claimed that the IDF used "severe violence" to detain them and confiscated their phones, despite "complete passivity" from the members.

The group, which claims to have crossed the boundary "many times in the past," intends to establish an Israeli settlement in the area.

It emphasized that "only settlement" would cement Israeli control of the area, noting the importance of IDF control in the region.

IDF soldiers detain members of the HaBashan Pioneers settler movement near the Israel-Syria border, July 5, 2026. (credit: HaBashan Pioneers)

The movement said its actions come amid attempted attacks by Syrian terrorists against Israeli communities in the Golan Heights, including within the buffer zone.

"The events appear to be part of a slow but consistent deterioration and erosion of Israeli control in these areas by the terrorists and the hostile population in the area," HaBashan stated.

According to the statement, the group intentionally positioned itself in a mountainous area to make evacuation difficult, emphasizing that it wished to avoid violence.

"If we do not integrate civilian settlement into the military grip, we may find ourselves in a situation similar to that along the Lebanese border," the statement continued. "The right-wing government needs to show our enemies that Israel intends to stay."

"Eventually we will also reach Daraa, Quneitra and Abedin," it added.

In May, ten HaBashan members were detained after crossing the Israel-Syria border, with the IDF emphasizing the danger the movement's actions pose to Israeli soldiers and civilians alike.

In April, forty members were detained after they successfully traveled several hundred meters into Syria, an act the Israel Police described as "prohibited and dangerous."