One IDF soldier was wounded Wednesday when combatants in Syria’s civil war fired across that country’s border with Israel into the Golan Heights.
The soldier sustained shrapnel wounds to the chest and was airlifted to Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, where he was immediately taken into surgery to remove the fragments. He is listed in fair to good condition.
In total, three mortar shells were fired during the attack. No other injuries were reported, which occurred near the Quneitra crossing, but two cars were damaged in the attack.
In response, IDF officials said Jerusalem holds the Syrian army responsible for maintaining order on the Syrian side of the border, and added that Israeli forces attacked two Syrian positions in response to the attack.
“Hits were confirmed,” a spokesperson said.
Security sources originally told media the attack was apparently due to overflow from the civil war taking place in Syria but that assessment is being re-examined.
Nevertheless, the IDF has ordered farmers and civilians to stay away from the border with Syria border until further notice. Part of the area has been closed to civilians as a precaution.
There is intense combat taking place between President Bashar al-Assad’s army and opposition forces near the Quneitra crossing, which is very close to Israeli communities in the Golan Heights.