IDF Returns Israeli Civilians Who Crossed Into Syria

Several Israeli civilians who crossed from the Majdal Shams area into Syria on Thursday were located near the border on Friday evening, detained and transferred to Israel Police, the IDF said. Troops had searched the area to return them safely to Israel. In several separate incidents on Friday, other Israelis reached the southern Golan Heights border intending to cross into Syria; troops stopped them and transferred the suspects to police. The IDF said such incidents have recently increased, diverting operational attention, harming security and constituting criminal offenses that endanger civilians and soldiers.