Israeli forces reportedly operated this week near Al-Rafid in southern Syria, amid growing concerns that Hezbollah operatives are disguising themselves as local shepherds to gather intelligence along the Golan border.
According to Syrian reports, Israeli military vehicles entered the area through a nearby gate and established a temporary checkpoint. Troops reportedly inspected the mobile phones of shepherds present in the area before withdrawing. No arrests were reported.
Israeli defense officials have long viewed shepherds operating near the border as potential intelligence collectors for Hezbollah and Iranian-backed elements. Their constant presence in open terrain allows them to monitor IDF movements, infrastructure changes, and surveillance systems—information that can later be passed on to hostile actors.
Security sources note that in some cases, local civilians may be coerced or incentivized to assist in such intelligence-gathering efforts. There have also been incidents where individuals crossed the border area—sometimes referred to as the “Blue Line”—triggering detention and questioning by Israeli forces.