Israeli groups cross border into Syria, Israeli Defense Forces say efforts to bring them back
The illegal crossing was announced by U.S.-based Tom Barrack in Turkey, Israel and Syria agreed to a ceasefire supported by Türkiye, Jordan and regional partners.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, a group of Israeli civilians crossed the border into Syria from Israel from Friday night to Saturday morning.
The IDF said action is being taken to bring the team safely back to Israeli territory and quoted them.
The illegal crossing was announced by U.S.-based Tom Barrack in Turkey, Israel and Syria agreed to a ceasefire supported by Türkiye, Jordan and regional partners.
Earlier conflict and humanitarian aid transfer
The conflict between Syria and the Bedouin and the Druze was reportedly resumed on Friday night when about 200 Bedouin entered Svida with rockets and machine guns to continue fighting.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the emergency handover of aid to Svida’s Druze population as the country’s security forces prepare to redeploy the city of Druze-Mojonis Svida to fight in the Druze and Bedouin tribes.
After a re-fight between Bedouin fighters and the Druze gunmen, smoke rose in the village of Al-Mazra’a and, despite a truce, was announced on July 18, 2025 in Sweida, Syria.
In addition, the source told Jerusalem Post That afternoon, “Israel agreed to allow limited access to Sweida for the next 48 hours.”
The day before, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the ceasefire in Syria was achieved through “strong action.”
He added: “We have established a clear policy: demilitarization of the southern Damascus and protection of Druze.”
Maariv Online and Reuters contributed to the report.
