In an unprecedented move, Israel has deployed a herd of cattle as a means to bolster its security presence along the border with Syria, particularly in an area beyond the separation barrier in the Golan Heights. The Israeli government claims this action has changed the ground reality.
According to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth, the herd consists of approximately 140 cows grazing on nearly 10,000 dunams near the Raqqad River, within an Israeli-controlled area located east of the border fence. Tel Aviv describes this as a permanent civilian and agricultural presence serving security goals.
The herd belongs to Yoel Zilberman, founder of the 'Hashomer Hachadash' organization, who stated that the project was executed secretly around six months ago in coordination with the Golan Brigade leadership of the Israeli army. It is part of what he described as a shift in Israel's defensive doctrine following the October 7th attack.
Zilberman explained that the border fence erected about a decade ago was built west of the cease-fire line for topographical and operational reasons, leaving a vast pocket under Israeli control beyond the fence.
He added that this area was, until the end of 2025, nearly devoid of Israeli civilian presence, while Syrian shepherds and their livestock frequently entered, approaching military posts, often triggering security alarms.
According to Golan Brigade officials, the presence of Syrian shepherds was not seen merely as civilian activity but also as potential reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, and possibly even weapons smuggling. This prompted the army to find a means to establish a permanent presence in the area.
An Israeli senior officer in the area was quoted saying that the project has achieved its security objectives, noting that since the herd's introduction and the erection of livestock fences, there have been no recorded incidents of Syrian shepherds entering the area. Concerns about planting explosives near the fence have diminished, with agricultural presence now seen as a 'security and national interest for Israel.'
Witnesses report that since March, locals warned that the new fences erected by Israeli forces across large swathes of pastureland have caused livestock that naturally enters the area during grazing to become trapped.
They confirmed that sheep occasionally venture into the fenced area, only for their owners to be prevented from retrieving them, with some disappearing under what locals describe as systemic 'seizure operations.'