Dozens of Israeli settler activists crossed roughly half a kilometer into southern Syria on Wednesday before being escorted back by the Israeli military. The group barricaded itself in a building near the town of Hader, declaring it would remain until the government approves the establishment of Israeli settlements in the area.

Calling themselves the Bashan Pioneers, the activists said their actions were aimed at promoting Jewish settlement in territory currently held by Israeli forces beyond the country’s recognized borders. Similar efforts by right-wing settlement movements have targeted Gaza, southern Lebanon, and parts of Syria in recent months, though participants have repeatedly been removed by the army.

The Israeli military said about 40 individuals were involved and described the border crossing as a serious criminal offense that endangers both civilians and soldiers. Police noted that illegally crossing the border carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years. Troops have maintained positions inside southern Syria since the fall of the Syrian regime in December 2024, operating in and beyond a United Nations monitored buffer zone to secure the border and prevent weapons from reaching hostile groups.