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Israel Fires on Militants Along Syrian Border Israel Fires on Militants Along Syrian Border
(35 minutes later)
JERUSALEM — Israeli forces in the Golan Heights fired artillery shells early Wednesday at two militants who were attempting to plant an explosive device along the Israeli-Syrian frontier, according to the Israeli military, in the latest sign of how spillover from the Syrian civil war threatens to destabilize a long-quiet cease-fire line.JERUSALEM — Israeli forces in the Golan Heights fired artillery shells early Wednesday at two militants who were attempting to plant an explosive device along the Israeli-Syrian frontier, according to the Israeli military, in the latest sign of how spillover from the Syrian civil war threatens to destabilize a long-quiet cease-fire line.
Israeli military officials identified the militants as “Hezbollah-affiliated terrorists,” referring to the Shiite organization that fought a monthlong war with Israel in Lebanon in 2006. Hezbollah is now fighting in Syria to shore up the government of President Bashar al-Assad in its bloody battle against rebel forces.Israeli military officials identified the militants as “Hezbollah-affiliated terrorists,” referring to the Shiite organization that fought a monthlong war with Israel in Lebanon in 2006. Hezbollah is now fighting in Syria to shore up the government of President Bashar al-Assad in its bloody battle against rebel forces.
The militants were hit by the Israeli fire, according to the military, but there was no immediate information about their condition. The militants were hit by the shelling, according to the Israeli military, but there was no immediate information about their condition.
The clash came a week after Hezbollah openly accused Israel of striking a Hezbollah position on the Lebanese-Syrian border on the night of Feb. 24, contrary to the organization’s usual practice in recent months of maintaining silence about such matters. Hezbollah had said it would choose what it called the appropriate time, place and way to retaliate, but details about the events Wednesday were murky and it was not immediately clear whether there was a direct connection. Separately, Syrian warplanes struck three times near Arsal, in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media. The town is about seven miles from the Syrian border, in an area that has served as a transit zone for Syrian refugees and rebels.
The artillery fire in the Golan Heights came a week after Hezbollah openly accused Israel of striking a Hezbollah position on the Lebanese-Syrian border on the night of Feb. 24, contrary to the organization’s usual practice in recent months of maintaining silence about such matters. Hezbollah had said it would choose what it called the appropriate time, place and way to retaliate, but details about the events Wednesday were murky and it was not immediately clear whether there was a direct connection.
Israel has struck Syria at least three times in the past year, according to American officials, to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons from Syria to Hezbollah. Israel has refused to confirm or deny any part in the airstrikes, preferring to maintain ambiguity in large part to reduce the pressure on the other side to retaliate. Asked last week about the latest strikes on the Lebanese-Syrian border, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said, “Our policy is clear. We will not speak about reports of what we did or didn’t do, but we do all that is necessary in order to defend our citizens.”Israel has struck Syria at least three times in the past year, according to American officials, to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons from Syria to Hezbollah. Israel has refused to confirm or deny any part in the airstrikes, preferring to maintain ambiguity in large part to reduce the pressure on the other side to retaliate. Asked last week about the latest strikes on the Lebanese-Syrian border, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said, “Our policy is clear. We will not speak about reports of what we did or didn’t do, but we do all that is necessary in order to defend our citizens.”
The episode Wednesday, though unusual, would not be the first attempt to plant an explosive device along the 1974 cease-fire line, which separates the Israeli-controlled section of the Golan Heights from Syria. Israeli forces seized a large part of the strategic plateau, which overlooks much of northern Israel, from Syria in the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move that has not been internationally recognized. Syria tried unsuccessfully to regain the Golan Heights in the 1973 war.The episode Wednesday, though unusual, would not be the first attempt to plant an explosive device along the 1974 cease-fire line, which separates the Israeli-controlled section of the Golan Heights from Syria. Israeli forces seized a large part of the strategic plateau, which overlooks much of northern Israel, from Syria in the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move that has not been internationally recognized. Syria tried unsuccessfully to regain the Golan Heights in the 1973 war.
Briefing reporters earlier this week, a senior Israeli military official said that a “massive” explosive device was used against an Israeli reconnaissance vehicle in the Golan Heights in December. There were no casualties.Briefing reporters earlier this week, a senior Israeli military official said that a “massive” explosive device was used against an Israeli reconnaissance vehicle in the Golan Heights in December. There were no casualties.
The official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with military protocol, said that those responsible for the December blast were affiliated with figures in the Syrian government who were “inspired by Hezbollah.”The official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with military protocol, said that those responsible for the December blast were affiliated with figures in the Syrian government who were “inspired by Hezbollah.”
“A border that was quiet for 40 years becomes less quiet,” the official said.“A border that was quiet for 40 years becomes less quiet,” the official said.
There have been numerous incidents of gunfire, mortar fire and rockets related to the Syrian civil war hitting Israeli-controlled territory along the frontier. Israel has fired back several times at Syrian positions, but it has usually described the shooting from the Syrian side as errant fire.There have been numerous incidents of gunfire, mortar fire and rockets related to the Syrian civil war hitting Israeli-controlled territory along the frontier. Israel has fired back several times at Syrian positions, but it has usually described the shooting from the Syrian side as errant fire.