Knesset votes to extend mandatory army service to 32 months, though IDF had sought 36

A group of Israeli settlement activists illegally crossed into Syria from the Golan Heights on Thursday, spending a full day there before being apprehended by Israeli troops and handed over to police. The IDF reported that these activists, calling themselves the Bashan Pioneers, advocate for establishing settlements in the area and have received support from some coalition lawmakers. The military noted an increase in such attempts in recent weeks, with several other activists also prevented from crossing the border today in the southern Golan Heights. The IDF stated, "Such actions divert IDF soldiers' attention from their ongoing operational activities and compromise security," emphasizing that these actions are a criminal offense endangering both civilians and soldiers.