Dozens of Israeli settlers crossed into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights on Wednesday, barricading themselves on a rooftop and demanding the establishment of new settlements in the occupied area. The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions along the volatile ceasefire line.
Witnesses reported that the group bypassed military checkpoints and entered a deserted building in the Syrian side of the buffer zone, chanting slogans and waving Israeli flags. The settlers, reportedly from nearby settlements, called on the Israeli government to annex the territory and expand Jewish presence in the region.
The Israeli military confirmed the breach and said negotiators were working to resolve the standoff peacefully. A military spokesperson described the act as 'unauthorized' and warned that such actions could undermine security arrangements.
Syria condemned the incursion, accusing Israel of violating international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement that established the demilitarized zone. The UN peacekeeping force in the area, UNDOF, said it was monitoring the situation.
This is the first known instance of settlers crossing into Syrian territory since the Golan Heights was captured by Israel in 1967 and effectively annexed in 1981—a move not recognized by most countries. The incident comes amid growing calls by far-right groups to expand settlements in the Golan.