IDF and Border Police forces dispersed a violent gathering of dozens of Israeli Druze in the Syrian border area on Friday night.

“Following the gathering, the citizens crossed the border fence into Syrian territory in the Majdal Shams area while acting violently against IDF forces,” the IDF spokesperson said. “The IDF views any violence against its personnel and security forces with great severity and emphasizes that crossing the border into Syria is a criminal offense and endangers the public and IDF forces. The forces are continuing to work to safely return the citizens who crossed the border.”

It is believed that about 1,000 Israeli Druze entered Syria.

Kan News reported on Motzei Shabbos that about 2,000 Israeli Druze have declared their intention to join the fighting in Syria against regime forces if the massacre of the Druze in Sweida continues.

A document revealed by Kan includes names and ID numbers of Druze serving in the IDF, other security bodies, and active reserve duty, and states, “We are preparing to volunteer to fight alongside our brothers in Sweida. The time has come for us to be ready to defend our brothers, our land, and our religion.”

This is an unusual step that is very concerning to the top echelons of the security establishment. Kan reported that yesterday, in an attempt to calm the situation, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, arrived at the home of Sheikh Muafak Tarif, one of the leaders of the community in Israel, and conveyed a message: “Leave the handling of the events to the IDF.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)