Israeli soldiers of an ultra-Orthodox battalion take part in annual training in the Golan Heights, near the Syrian border. (Credit: Menahem Kahana/AFP)
BEIRUT — At least 20 ultra-Orthodox Israeli men crossed the border into Lebanon, several of whom were arrested, Haaretz reported on Sunday citing the Israeli police.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, they crossed the border into Lebanon overnight between Saturday and Sunday and were stopped and returned to Israel.
The Israeli newspaper added that they entered the "tomb of 4th-century Babylonian scholar Rav Ashi," which is located near the village of Houla (Marjeyoun district). So far, eight of them have been detained for questioning.
According to the Times of Israel, the shrine marking his burial spot "straddles the Blue Line and is situated within a militarized compound hemmed in between an Israeli army post and UNIFIL base."
The penalty for crossing the border into Lebanon is up to four years in prison.
On Dec. 5, several families from the "Settler Movement in Southern Lebanon" arrived at the border area and crossed several meters over the blue line. An account on X named "Trusted Sources" shared images allegedly showing settlers setting up tents in the southern Lebanese town of Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil). The settlers were seen carrying flags emblazoned with the words "Lebanon is ours."
Lebanon and Israel reached a cease-fire in late November following a 13-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. More than 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon during the conflict, which significantly escalated in September.
