Israeli troops halt group advancing into Syria buffer zone

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops intercepted around 40 civilians on April 22 afternoon who were attempting to cross from Israel into Syrian territory.

According to the military, the individuals gathered near the border before advancing several hundred metres into a buffer zone inside Syria that is under Israeli control. They were subsequently stopped by Israeli forces, returned to Israel, and handed over to the police.

Israeli media reports identified those detained as members of the right-wing group “Bashan Pioneers,” which advocates for the establishment of Jewish settlements in Lebanon and Syria.

By Vafa Guliyeva