Israeli civilians aiming to make a political point of settling the new area taken by the IDF broke through the Israel–Syria border fence earlier today at two separate points, entering Syrian territory before being chased down by IDF forces.
In the southern Golan Heights, eight Israelis cut through the border fence near Bir Ajam using a power saw and advanced into the buffer area opposite Alonei HaBashan. IDF troops pursued them and ultimately arrested all eight.
A second group entered Syrian territory in the Mount Hermon sector, prompting an ongoing pursuit by security forces. According to a security source, the civilians forced their way across the border, confronted the troops on the scene, and triggered a rapid response to detain them.
A later update confirmed that all 13 individuals who crossed the border—five in the Hermon area and eight near Bir Ajam—were brought back to Israel. Footage shows the civilians driving through military gates while waving Israeli flags and calling out, “May we merit to settle.”