Damascus, Syria – A group of Israeli families, including children, crossed the border into Syria on Monday in an attempt to establish a new settlement, according to The Times of Israel.
The families drove across the frontier near the Israeli town of Alonei Habashan on the Golan Heights, carrying banners and supplies for what they described as the foundation of a new community. They named the planned settlement “Nave Habashan.” Once inside Syrian territory, the group erected a sign and staged a symbolic cornerstone-laying ceremony.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intervened swiftly, returning the group to Israeli territory. Police later questioned the participants. Military officials described the incident as “serious” and said it amounted to a criminal act that placed both civilians and soldiers at risk.
According to the report, the effort was organized by settler activists and was not coordinated with any Israeli authority. Analysts noted that while settlement expansion inside the occupied West Bank remains a central policy debate, proposals to establish outposts inside Syria or Lebanon have not gained mainstream political traction.
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The attempted move comes amid heightened settler activity and growing tensions in the region. While right-wing politicians such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have previously backed settlement expansion in Gaza and the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out resettlement in Gaza and has not endorsed moves beyond Israel’s recognized borders.
In a separate development on August 9, our correspondent reported that Israeli forces carried out incursions in villages across Syria’s Quneitra province, including al-Rafid, Kudnah, al-Musheda, al-Mu’allaqa, Jabata, and Tranjah.
“The forces deployed military vehicles, set up checkpoints, and conducted searches of pedestrians, coinciding with heavy surveillance drone activity over the area.” The correspondent added.
According to the correspondent, two Israeli patrols also moved toward Tal Ahmar Sharqi and the village of Ayn Ziwan in the Quneitra countryside, amid continued aerial reconnaissance.
