Israeli settlers who breached Syria border returned by military

A group of settlers who crossed the border from Israel into southern Syria in an attempt to establish new settlements have been apprehended and returned by the Israeli military.

On Thursday, some 13 settlers belonging to a group called the "Pioneers of the Bashan" cut through the border fence in two locations using angle grinders and drove into Syria with the aim of settling there.

Five of the group breached the border in the Mount Hermon area, and another eight near the Syrian village of Bir Ajam in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

The Israeli military said in a statement that troops "rushed to the two locations, and shortly afterward the civilians were found" and that some "clashed" with the soldiers.

It confirmed that all of the suspects were "safely returned to Israeli territory under IDF escort", adding that the military "strongly condemns the incident and emphasises that it is a grave incident constituting a criminal offence" endangering both civilians and Israeli soldiers. 

"The Pioneers of Bashan" calls for the return of Jewish settlement to the Bashan region, a biblical area in what is now southern Syria. According to the Bible, 12 Israelite tribes were allotted territory in the area.

The group was established in April after dozens of settlers breached the border into Syria for two hours in a bid to establish an outpost. 

תיעוד: ישראלים חצו לשטח סוריה במטרה "להתיישב בחבל הבשן" pic.twitter.com/fj1cAk0rc5

— הארץ חדשות (@haaretznewsvid) November 27, 2025

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that an open WhatsApp group connected with the movement states that it was formed  "after recent developments in Syria" and that it "calls for the return of Jewish settlement to the historical Bashan region".

According to Haaretz, the WhatsApp group's manager said that the "Settlement of the entire Bashan is a natural extension of settlement in the Golan and will help to stabilise the area, strengthen Israel's security, and realise our historical right to the lands that were once lost to us".

In a post on X shortly after the settlers were apprehended, the group said: "God be praised, we had the privilege of walking through the Bashan - the land of our forefathers. We urge the government to allow us to continue holding the Bashan and not to expel us from here. Settling the Bashan will bring security to the Golan and to all of Israel."

Israeli media reported that members of the movement previously crossed into southern Syria in August, with the intention of establishing the "Neveh Habashan" settlement.