IDF Retaliates a Second Time to Spillover Fire From Syria

YERUSHALAYIM
Israel Syria, Golan
A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border Sunday shows smoke rising near the Israeli-Syrian border in the Golan Heights during fighting between the rebels and the Syrian army. (Basel Awidat/Flash90)

For the second consecutive day, the IDF struck Syrian targets from the air after errant shells from fighting across the border landed in Israeli territory in the Golan Heights.

Sunday afternoon, several projectiles identified as spillover from Syria exploded inside Israel. B’chasdei Shamayim, no injuries were reported, as the mortar shells landed in open areas.

However, on the Syrian side, five people were reportedly injured in the retaliatory airstrike. Pro-Assad sources said the IDF hit an army vehicle in the Quneitra area.

It was the seventh such incident in a week and came as fighting between President Bashar Assad’s regime and the numerous rebel groups in southern Syria escalated in recent weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday that “last night the IDF attacked Syrian military targets. This was a vigorous response to mortar fire at our territory. Our policy is clear: We will not tolerate any spillover or trickle whatsoever — neither mortars nor rockets — from any front. We will respond strongly to any attack on our territory or our citizens.

“We also view with utmost gravity Iran’s attempts to establish itself militarily in Syria as well as its attempts to arm Hezbollah — via Syria and Lebanon — with advanced weaponry.”

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