Two Chabad bochurim were sent to Israeli military prison following a major detention operation at Ben Gurion Airport in which 42 yeshiva students returning from New York were taken into custody over their military draft status.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 20, when a group of Chabad bochurim arrived in Eretz Yisroel after spending a year learning at 770 Eastern Parkway, the Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

According to Israeli media reports, military authorities detained 42 members of the group upon their arrival at the airport as part of enforcement proceedings involving outstanding military service obligations.

The arrests sparked immediate concern among family members and within the Chabad community, particularly as the bochurim had just returned from their year of learning in New York.

As the situation unfolded, efforts were made to secure the students' release.

By Tuesday evening, 40 of the 42 detained bochurim had been released, while two were transferred to military prison.

According to reports citing the IDF, the two remaining detainees faced more serious outstanding draft-related issues than those who were released. Some of the other students were reportedly released subject to restrictions or further proceedings.

The incident drew renewed attention to the ongoing dispute surrounding military conscription and the treatment of Chareidi yeshiva students in Eretz Yisroel.

For the Chabad community, the arrests were particularly troubling because the bochurim were returning from their kevutzah year at 770, an important period of learning and spiritual growth for many Lubavitch students.

In a follow-up report published Wednesday, October 21, Chabad.info reported that the two bochurim remained in military custody and that one had received an additional eight days of detention.

The report also described calls for Chabad rabbonim and community representatives to intervene on behalf of the detained students.

The arrests come amid continuing tensions over the enforcement of military draft requirements against Chareidi bochurim, an issue that has generated widespread concern and protests throughout the Torah community.

While the overwhelming majority of the detained students were released, the imprisonment of the remaining two has become a particular focus of concern.

As of the latest follow-up report reviewed, the two bochurim were still being held. Their subsequent detention status has not been independently confirmed.