The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that the man who was seen crossing from Israel to western Syria was an Israeli-Arab paraglider, not a member of the Israeli Armed Forces.
According to the IDF Spokesperson, the Israeli-Arab paraglider was a resident of Jajuliyah, who was attempting to paraglide from the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights to the Dara’a Governorate in order to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) affiliate “Liwaa Al-Shahada” (Martyrs Brigade); these are still allegations.
The IDF Spokesperson – Brigadier General Moti Al-Moz added that the Israeli Defense Forces made no attempt to stop the Israeli-Arab paraglider, despite his clear intentions to cross into Syria – his current status is unknown, but the Shin Bet Intelligence Agency is currently working to find the man that was seen paragliding to the Islamist rebel forces fighting against the Syrian Government.
The Israeli-Arab paraglider has yet to be identified by the IDF Spokesperson and the Islamist rebel forces he was allegedly attempting to join in Syria; however, the Israeli Government’s acknowledgement of this matter has raised concern over the man’s status.
More news is expected to come in the coming hours, as the Israeli army intelligence and Shin Bet gather more information.