Israeli 'Uri Tzafon' settler movement says a group of its members reached Hasbani River in south Lebanon

BEIRUT — "Uri Tzafon," an Israeli settler movement advocating for the establishment of settlements in Lebanon, said Tuesday that a group of its members had "reached the Hasbani River" in south Lebanon a day earlier.

According to OSINT analysts on X, the organization reached Ghajar, a village disputed by Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, but occupied by Israel.

"Yesterday, a group of activists from the 'Uri Tzafon' movement went on a trip and reached the the Hasbani stream. The enclave is temporarily located beyond the marked border line, which, with God’s help, will one day return to us," the group said in a statement.

According to the statement, the organization's members remained at the site for about half an hour until an Israeli army patrol arrived and requested them to return to Israel.

"We reiterate and remind: the only way to bring security to the north is through a civilian presence in southern Lebanon, including the establishment of Jewish settlements," the group added.

On Monday, the Israeli army said that several Israeli civilians "arrived in the Mount Hermon area with the intention of attempting to cross the border into Syrian territory."

"An Israeli force operating at the location prevented the civilians from advancing and detained them," the army said. It remains unclear if the Israeli army statement referred to the same incident.

The Israeli army currently occupies over 600 square kilometers in southern Lebanon. Uri Tzafon's stated goal is to push Israel's northern border to the Litani River, around 30 kilometers north of the Blue Line.

Israeli far-right figures have repeatedly advocated establishing settlements in Lebanon. In May, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel had a "settlement plan for Lebanon."