BICOM

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet was fired at last night by a Syrian anti-aircraft position near Quneitra in Southern Syria.

The IDF said in a statement: “Syrian anti-aircraft systems fired at an IDF fighter jet during a routine flight in northern Israel. The anti-air projectile landed in Syrian territory and the mission was completed as planned.  In response, a short while ago, the IDF targeted the launcher that had fired. The IDF sees any threat against its aircraft with great severity and takes measures to defend them.” The statement called the incident abnormal, as the attack took place in Israeli airspace and described it as a “a violation of Israeli sovereignty” in the Golan Heights.

According to Syrian state media the Israeli strike killed one soldier and injured another. The strike occurred in the Quneitra area close to the Israeli border on the Golan Heights. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Israeli missile was “reportedly fired from the occupied part of the Golan” and that three soldiers were injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night spoke about the incident and said: “A short while ago the Syrian army attempted to hit an Israeli plane; it did not succeed. In response the air force destroyed the launcher that fired on the plane. Our policy is clear – we will not tolerate any aggression against us, and we will respond forcefully.”

Israeli Army Radio’s Arab Affairs correspondent Jacky Hugi said the Syrian attack was either an error by a local Syrian commander who feared it was preparing a strike against Syrian targets, or a change of policy in Syria to target Israeli aircraft as they feel emboldened by the arrival of Russia’s S-300 anti-aircraft missiles that are expected soon to be operational.

Israeli intelligence recently discovered that Syria has stationed two military brigades on the Golan Heights and fear that Iran and Hezbollah may initiate incidents which would lead to an escalation in the area.