Israeli settlers in Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil district) hold a sign reading "Lebanon is ours" in December 2024. (Credit: @Sourcesfiables/X)
A group of Israeli settlers, including about 15 women, crossed into Lebanon on Wednesday near the village of Ghajar before being returned by Israeli troops, the Israeli army confirmed Thursday.
"Approximately 15 Israeli citizens arrived yesterday in the Ghajar area, damaged the border fence and crossed into Lebanese territory," the Israeli army said in a statement posted on X.
The army said its soldiers intervened and returned the group to Israeli territory before handing them over to Israeli police. It "strongly condemns this incident, which constitutes yet another instance of serious disruption to operational activities and a danger to the security of Israeli army forces operating in the area," the statement said.
The women are members of "Uri Tzafon," an extremist Zionist group that advocates establishing Israeli settlements in southern Lebanon.
Activists from the same movement traveled to Ghajar, a disputed village divided by the Blue Line, in early July and have crossed into Lebanese territory several times in recent months, including near the Hasbani River.
Ghajar was occupied by Israel during the July 2006 war and was effectively annexed in July 2023, when Israel erected a fence separating the village from the rest of Lebanon. The village is claimed by Lebanon, Syria and Israel.
The Israeli army currently occupies more than 600 square kilometers of southern Lebanon. Uri Tzafon's stated goal is to push Israel's northern border to the Litani River. Several Israeli far-right figures have repeatedly called for the establishment of settlements in Lebanon. In May, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel had a "settlement plan for Lebanon."
