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Israel prevents an settler attempt in the Golan and continues coordination with Moscow on Syria
Israeli i24 TV reported that the Israeli army thwarted on Monday an attempt to establish a settlement outpost inside Syrian territory, after a group of families from settlements in northern the West Bank crossed the border fence near a settlement in the occupied Golan to set up a new outpost called "Nveih Hapshem."
According to reports, the group intended to stay in the area for an extended period with their children before forces from the Israeli Army's 210th Brigade intervened and returned them to within Israel, where they were detained for questioning.
Organizers calling themselves "Pioneers of Hapshem," as reported by the channel, stated that their initiative is unofficial and not backed by the government, but they hinted at the possibility of receiving support for future settlement projects in the area.
In an official statement, the Israeli army explained that its forces received a report about several vehicles crossing the border fence into Syria, prompting an immediate response. The settlers were returned to within Israel and were called in for questioning. The statement emphasized that the incident "constitutes a serious criminal offense" and threatens the lives of civilians and soldiers.
This incident comes amid statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reaffirmed Israel’s role in protecting its borders and strengthening its strategic presence. He emphasized that “Greater Israel” will always remain the historic project reflecting the visions of the founding fathers, which is seen as a clear indication of settler expansion and Israeli control over occupied territories, including Syrian Golan.
In a separate report, Russian ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov said that the coordination channel between Russia and Israel regarding the Syrian file remains active despite regional changes over the past year.
Viktorov clarified that military officials from both sides continue professional dialogue and stressed that the Syrian issue has been a major topic in recent phone conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He emphasized that Putin underscored the importance of supporting Syria’s territorial integrity and unity, reaffirming Russia’s backing for political stability in Syria and respect for the rights of the country’s ethnic and religious communities.
Viktorov also noted growing Israeli interest in issues concerning the Druze community in Syria, explaining that Russia maintains continuous secret contacts with representatives of the Druze in Israel, including spiritual leader Sheikh Muafaq Tarif, who has visited Moscow multiple times.
Finally, Viktorov asserted that Syria’s stability will contribute to improving conditions across the Middle East as a whole, stressing that this aligns entirely with the interests of both Russia and Israel.
