IDF Halts Airstrike on Five Israeli Activists Mistaken for Terrorists

A newly disclosed IDF incident shows that five members of the HaBashan Pioneers movement were nearly struck two weeks ago after military surveillance detected them near Mount Hermon and initially identified them as a terrorist squad trying to enter Israel. Zik aircraft were dispatched for an aerial strike. Observers halted the attack moments before launch after noticing the men's peyot and realizing they were observant Jewish activists rather than infiltrating terrorists. The IDF confirmed the details, strongly condemned repeated attempts to cross the Syrian border as a life-threatening criminal offense, and called on law-enforcement agencies to act decisively against the phenomenon.