28 apr 2015
IDF confirm moratrs were 'spillover' from conflict in Syria, where heavy battles have been reported in recent hours; no injuries reported.
Two mortars fell in northern Israel early Tuesday afternoon, shortly after air raid sirens blared throughout the area of Kibbutz Ein Zivan in the northern Golan Heights, warning of fire from Syria. Local residents reported hearing blasts in the area shortly after.
The mortars landed in an open area near orchards and a UN base. The IDF has confirmed that the two mortars were errant fire from battles raging in Syria, near the border with Israel, and not an intentional attack.
"From an initial investigation it seems that the blasts heard in the Golan were a result of internal Syrian fighting on the other side of the border," the IDF said, adding that at least two projectiles hit Israel. No injuries have been reported.
"It was probably errant fire," an IDF source said. Another military source called it "spillover". The IDF said that at present, they do not know why the sirens blared throughout such widespread areas.
Ein Zivan is located across the border from Syria's Quneitra - where battles have been waging between pro-regime forces and rebels in recent days. The incident could be spillover from the Syrian conflict. During the morning hours, reports emerged of battles between different Syrian rebel factions across from the central Golan Heights.
According to Iranian media, a group calling itself “National Resistance” has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The last time rockets hit northern Israel was last July, when two rockets fired from Lebanon slammed into northern Israel, followed by another rocket, this time from Syria, which landed in a town in the north of the Golan Heights.
The rocket sirens were activated in the Kibbutzim of Gonen, Lehavot HaBashan, Neot Mordechai, Amir, Sde Nehemia and Shamir, as well as in the towns of Had Nes, Kanaf, Ma'ale Gamla, Kidmat Tzvi, Katzrin, Sha'al, Odem, El Rom, Buq'ata, Majdal Shams, Masada, Neve Ativ, Nimrod and Ein Qiniyye.
On Sunday evening, four terrorists were killed by IDF troops as they were trying to place a bomb along Israel's border with Syria. The incident came after reports in Arab media said Israel launched an attack in Syria late Friday night, hitting a convoy of long-range missile intended for Shiite terror group Hezbollah.
An IDF patrol identified four figures approaching the border near Mt. Dov in the Golan Heights at around 9:30 pm and alerted IAF planes to the scene. The air force then took out the terrorist with at least three confirmed killed in the attack.
The incident took place in Israeli territory, in an abandoned IDF base located outside the fence acting's as the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon. .
"A short while ago, the IDF eliminated a terror cell attempting to place an explosive device against IDF forces on Israel's border with Syria. The IDF will not accept any attempt to attack or infringe Israel's sovereignty," the IDF said in statement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the event, saying "any attempt to harm our soldiers will be met with a firm response, like the one led by the IDF tonight who stopped an attempted terror attack. I praise the IDF alertness which responded quickly and accurately."
The area in which the attack took place was scene to a previous incident in March 2014 in which the IDF shot two Hezbollah fighters who tried to plant a bomb on the border fence between the Israeli side of the Golan Heights and the Syrian-held territory. The incident took place after another alleged Israeli attack in along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The alleged Israeli strike was reported in Al-Arabiya, which claimed the target was a cache of Syrian Scuds. The Saudi-owned network further claimed that Israel had also struck the area on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera reported on Saturday morning that Israeli warplanes bombed positions belonging to the Syrian army and Hezbollah in the al-Qalamoun region near the border between Syria and Lebanon, with reports claiming the attack occurred in two waves and left a number of casualties.
Last week, a code red siren was sounded in Sderot and other Gaza border communities in southern Israel as the country celebrated Israel's 67th Independence Day.
The last time the air raid siren blared in southern communities was at the end of December. The rocket hit an open field in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, near Sderot. No injuries or damages were reported.
Two mortars fell in northern Israel early Tuesday afternoon, shortly after air raid sirens blared throughout the area of Kibbutz Ein Zivan in the northern Golan Heights, warning of fire from Syria. Local residents reported hearing blasts in the area shortly after.
The mortars landed in an open area near orchards and a UN base. The IDF has confirmed that the two mortars were errant fire from battles raging in Syria, near the border with Israel, and not an intentional attack.
"From an initial investigation it seems that the blasts heard in the Golan were a result of internal Syrian fighting on the other side of the border," the IDF said, adding that at least two projectiles hit Israel. No injuries have been reported.
"It was probably errant fire," an IDF source said. Another military source called it "spillover". The IDF said that at present, they do not know why the sirens blared throughout such widespread areas.
Ein Zivan is located across the border from Syria's Quneitra - where battles have been waging between pro-regime forces and rebels in recent days. The incident could be spillover from the Syrian conflict. During the morning hours, reports emerged of battles between different Syrian rebel factions across from the central Golan Heights.
According to Iranian media, a group calling itself “National Resistance” has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The last time rockets hit northern Israel was last July, when two rockets fired from Lebanon slammed into northern Israel, followed by another rocket, this time from Syria, which landed in a town in the north of the Golan Heights.
The rocket sirens were activated in the Kibbutzim of Gonen, Lehavot HaBashan, Neot Mordechai, Amir, Sde Nehemia and Shamir, as well as in the towns of Had Nes, Kanaf, Ma'ale Gamla, Kidmat Tzvi, Katzrin, Sha'al, Odem, El Rom, Buq'ata, Majdal Shams, Masada, Neve Ativ, Nimrod and Ein Qiniyye.
On Sunday evening, four terrorists were killed by IDF troops as they were trying to place a bomb along Israel's border with Syria. The incident came after reports in Arab media said Israel launched an attack in Syria late Friday night, hitting a convoy of long-range missile intended for Shiite terror group Hezbollah.
An IDF patrol identified four figures approaching the border near Mt. Dov in the Golan Heights at around 9:30 pm and alerted IAF planes to the scene. The air force then took out the terrorist with at least three confirmed killed in the attack.
The incident took place in Israeli territory, in an abandoned IDF base located outside the fence acting's as the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon. .
"A short while ago, the IDF eliminated a terror cell attempting to place an explosive device against IDF forces on Israel's border with Syria. The IDF will not accept any attempt to attack or infringe Israel's sovereignty," the IDF said in statement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the event, saying "any attempt to harm our soldiers will be met with a firm response, like the one led by the IDF tonight who stopped an attempted terror attack. I praise the IDF alertness which responded quickly and accurately."
The area in which the attack took place was scene to a previous incident in March 2014 in which the IDF shot two Hezbollah fighters who tried to plant a bomb on the border fence between the Israeli side of the Golan Heights and the Syrian-held territory. The incident took place after another alleged Israeli attack in along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The alleged Israeli strike was reported in Al-Arabiya, which claimed the target was a cache of Syrian Scuds. The Saudi-owned network further claimed that Israel had also struck the area on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera reported on Saturday morning that Israeli warplanes bombed positions belonging to the Syrian army and Hezbollah in the al-Qalamoun region near the border between Syria and Lebanon, with reports claiming the attack occurred in two waves and left a number of casualties.
Last week, a code red siren was sounded in Sderot and other Gaza border communities in southern Israel as the country celebrated Israel's 67th Independence Day.
The last time the air raid siren blared in southern communities was at the end of December. The rocket hit an open field in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, near Sderot. No injuries or damages were reported.
27 apr 2015
Israel struck missile batteries belonging to Hezbollah and the Syrian army in the Qalamoun area, near the Syria-Lebanon border, late Sunday night, an unconfirmed Al Jazeera report said early on Monday. The report said there were several casualties.
According to Haaretz, IOF Spokesperson's Unit would not confirm or deny, saying they do not comment on foreign reports.
This is the third attack in Syria in the past three days that was attributed to Israel. But unlike the two other strikes, it seems that this report is less credible.
The attack came hours after an Israeli Air Force aircraft struck a militant cell that was trying to place an explosive device on Israel's border with Syria.
Around 9:30 P.M. Israeli troops watching the border noticed four figures approaching the fence between Israel and Syria and placing the bomb. The cell was on the eastern side of the fence, but in effect was on Israeli territory.
The IAF aircraft then struck the cell, killing three of the militants, according to the IDF. In all likelihood the fourth militant was also hit.
The reported airstrike is Israel's second strike on Hezbollah targets in Qalamoun in three days. Israeli Air Force reportedly attacked Syrian army bases where Hezbollah stored long-range missiles late Friday night.
The airstrikes reportedly targeted the bases of the 155th and 65th strategic missile brigades, stationed in Qalamoun, near the Syria-Lebanon border. Residents of nearby cities Yabroud and Qarah reported hearing explosions.
According to an Al Arabiya report, Friday night's strikes were preceded by another attack on Wednesday, targeting a Hezbollah convoy carrying weapons. According to the report, at least one person was killed in that attack.
Last month, in wake of the Lausanne talks concerning Iran's nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "we [in Israel] are not closing our eyes, and we will continue to act against any threat."
According to Haaretz, IOF Spokesperson's Unit would not confirm or deny, saying they do not comment on foreign reports.
This is the third attack in Syria in the past three days that was attributed to Israel. But unlike the two other strikes, it seems that this report is less credible.
The attack came hours after an Israeli Air Force aircraft struck a militant cell that was trying to place an explosive device on Israel's border with Syria.
Around 9:30 P.M. Israeli troops watching the border noticed four figures approaching the fence between Israel and Syria and placing the bomb. The cell was on the eastern side of the fence, but in effect was on Israeli territory.
The IAF aircraft then struck the cell, killing three of the militants, according to the IDF. In all likelihood the fourth militant was also hit.
The reported airstrike is Israel's second strike on Hezbollah targets in Qalamoun in three days. Israeli Air Force reportedly attacked Syrian army bases where Hezbollah stored long-range missiles late Friday night.
The airstrikes reportedly targeted the bases of the 155th and 65th strategic missile brigades, stationed in Qalamoun, near the Syria-Lebanon border. Residents of nearby cities Yabroud and Qarah reported hearing explosions.
According to an Al Arabiya report, Friday night's strikes were preceded by another attack on Wednesday, targeting a Hezbollah convoy carrying weapons. According to the report, at least one person was killed in that attack.
Last month, in wake of the Lausanne talks concerning Iran's nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "we [in Israel] are not closing our eyes, and we will continue to act against any threat."
26 apr 2015
Four people have been killed in an Israeli air raid on the occupied Golan Heights, close to the border with Syria.
The victims of the Sunday night attack, which took place near the town of Majdal Shas, were yet to be identified.
According to the regime’s military, the victims were attempting to plant a bomb in the vicinity.
The latest attack came on the heels of reports saying that Israel launched attacks on Syrian army bases late on Friday.
Al-Arabiya said that Syria’s 155th and 65th strategic missile brigades, stationed in Qalamoun near the Syria-Lebanon border had been targeted.
Golan Heights has been under the Israeli occupation since the 1960s. The Tel Aviv regime captured 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War of 1967 and annexed the region in 1981.
The victims of the Sunday night attack, which took place near the town of Majdal Shas, were yet to be identified.
According to the regime’s military, the victims were attempting to plant a bomb in the vicinity.
The latest attack came on the heels of reports saying that Israel launched attacks on Syrian army bases late on Friday.
Al-Arabiya said that Syria’s 155th and 65th strategic missile brigades, stationed in Qalamoun near the Syria-Lebanon border had been targeted.
Golan Heights has been under the Israeli occupation since the 1960s. The Tel Aviv regime captured 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War of 1967 and annexed the region in 1981.
25 apr 2015
Al Jazeera reports IAF planes targeted 155th and 65th brigades of the Syrian army, which deal with strategic weapons and long-range missiles, on the Syrian-Lebanese border; Al Arabiya reports Israel attacked 2 weapons convoys on Wednesday.
Israeli fighter jets allegedly hit Syrian and Hezbollah targets on the Syria-Lebanon border Friday overnight, Al Jazeera reported Saturday.
According to sources quoted by Al Jazeera, the attack in al-Qalamoun targeted the 155th and 65th Brigades of the Syrian army, which deal with strategic weapons and long-range missiles.
The sources reported several explosions in the Syrian towns of Al-Qutayfah, Yabroud and Qarah on the outskirts of Damascus.
Al Arabiya reported the attack targeted Syrian weapons depots, and that on Wednesday Israel allegedly attack two weapons convoys, reportedly killing one person.
The IDF declined to respond to the reports. Syrian regime-affiliated media and Hezbollah-affiliated media have yet to report the alleged attack.
According to foreign sources, Israeli air force have allegedly carried out several raids against targets in Syria, including depots storing weapons meant for Hezbollah, since the conflict there started over four years ago.
Though Israel had maintained a policy of neutrality regarding the Syrian war, the most recent strike was said to be in January, when Hezbollah commander Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Lebanese terrorist Imad Mughniyah, was killed along with other Hezbollah fighters and a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander.
Last December, Israeli warplanes reportedly struck weapons warehouses near Damascus.
Israel has never confirmed it carried out the strikes, but it says it has a policy of preventing arms transfers to militant groups including Hezbollah.
Israeli fighter jets allegedly hit Syrian and Hezbollah targets on the Syria-Lebanon border Friday overnight, Al Jazeera reported Saturday.
According to sources quoted by Al Jazeera, the attack in al-Qalamoun targeted the 155th and 65th Brigades of the Syrian army, which deal with strategic weapons and long-range missiles.
The sources reported several explosions in the Syrian towns of Al-Qutayfah, Yabroud and Qarah on the outskirts of Damascus.
Al Arabiya reported the attack targeted Syrian weapons depots, and that on Wednesday Israel allegedly attack two weapons convoys, reportedly killing one person.
The IDF declined to respond to the reports. Syrian regime-affiliated media and Hezbollah-affiliated media have yet to report the alleged attack.
According to foreign sources, Israeli air force have allegedly carried out several raids against targets in Syria, including depots storing weapons meant for Hezbollah, since the conflict there started over four years ago.
Though Israel had maintained a policy of neutrality regarding the Syrian war, the most recent strike was said to be in January, when Hezbollah commander Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Lebanese terrorist Imad Mughniyah, was killed along with other Hezbollah fighters and a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander.
Last December, Israeli warplanes reportedly struck weapons warehouses near Damascus.
Israel has never confirmed it carried out the strikes, but it says it has a policy of preventing arms transfers to militant groups including Hezbollah.
9 apr 2015
Sidqi al-Maqt (R), arrested by the Israeli regime over alleged spying for Syria, raises his arms as he speaks to reporters, March 27, 2015
Syria says the Israeli regime has tortured and mistreated a Syrian man taken into custody over alleged spying for Damascus.
A Syrian envoy to the UN, Haydar Ali Ahmad, on Thursday called on the world body’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon “to intervene directly” to save the life of Sidqi al-Maqt.
On March 27, an Israeli district indicted Maqt on charges of espionage for Syria. Maqt, an Arab Druse, had already served 27 years in an Israeli prison for “security offenses” and was released in August 2012. However, he was detained on February 25 this year over the spying allegations.
Ahmad, however, rejected the charges against Maqt as “trumped up.”
The Syrian envoy also asked the Human Rights Council and other UN bodies to take action and end Israel’s “maltreatment” of Maqt through securing his immediate release.
Ahmad said 48-year-old Maqt was arrested “without any justification” and that he is being subjected “to various forms of savagery.”
He said Maqt is not being allowed access to his own attorneys in violation of international law.
The Israeli regime has dismissed reports of Maqt’s mistreatment.
Syria says the Israeli regime has tortured and mistreated a Syrian man taken into custody over alleged spying for Damascus.
A Syrian envoy to the UN, Haydar Ali Ahmad, on Thursday called on the world body’s Secretary General Ban Ki-moon “to intervene directly” to save the life of Sidqi al-Maqt.
On March 27, an Israeli district indicted Maqt on charges of espionage for Syria. Maqt, an Arab Druse, had already served 27 years in an Israeli prison for “security offenses” and was released in August 2012. However, he was detained on February 25 this year over the spying allegations.
Ahmad, however, rejected the charges against Maqt as “trumped up.”
The Syrian envoy also asked the Human Rights Council and other UN bodies to take action and end Israel’s “maltreatment” of Maqt through securing his immediate release.
Ahmad said 48-year-old Maqt was arrested “without any justification” and that he is being subjected “to various forms of savagery.”
He said Maqt is not being allowed access to his own attorneys in violation of international law.
The Israeli regime has dismissed reports of Maqt’s mistreatment.
18 mar 2015
The bodies of 14 Palestinian refugees killed in war-torn Syria, due to torture at the Syrian regime lock-ups, were identified, just one day after 18 other cadavers were singled out, the Action Group of Palestinians in Syria reported Tuesday.
The bodies included those of eight women identified respectively as the Yarmouk refugees Samira al-Sahli, Nesrine Mahmoud Jaber, Rahaf Gheith Ismail along with the 19-year-old Houda Hamdan, 22-year-old Bisan Abdul Ghani, Islam Abu Rashed, 25, Rana al-Masri, 24, and Ibtissam Arafa.
The Action Group raised alarm bells over the striking upsurge in the number of Palestinian refugees tortured to death in the jails of the Syrian regime.
Over 35 Palestinian refugee women are still incarcerated at lock-ups run by security forces loyal to the Syrian regime.
The bodies included those of eight women identified respectively as the Yarmouk refugees Samira al-Sahli, Nesrine Mahmoud Jaber, Rahaf Gheith Ismail along with the 19-year-old Houda Hamdan, 22-year-old Bisan Abdul Ghani, Islam Abu Rashed, 25, Rana al-Masri, 24, and Ibtissam Arafa.
The Action Group raised alarm bells over the striking upsurge in the number of Palestinian refugees tortured to death in the jails of the Syrian regime.
Over 35 Palestinian refugee women are still incarcerated at lock-ups run by security forces loyal to the Syrian regime.
13 mar 2015
An Israeli military officer has been killed in the occupied
Golan Heights during a meeting with a group of high-ranking members of
foreign-sponsored militant groups operating inside Syria.
The slain officer, who went by the nickname Johnny, was conferring with the militants, among them representatives of the so-called Free Syrian Army, as well as a Jordanian military figure, when he came under attack in the area on Friday afternoon, Lebanon’s Arabic-language newspaper al-Akhbar reported.
The report, however, did not provide any information about the fate of the Jordanian officer and the militant commanders.
It added that the meeting had been planned in order to explore avenues aimed at slowing the Syrian army’s advances in the strategic southwestern city of Quneitra, situated some 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the capital, Damascus, as well as the city of Dara’a.
The Israeli officer was reportedly from a technical unit in the Givati Brigade. He is said to have been in collaboration with the Takfiri terrorist groups in Syria, and helped them acquire modern communications equipment.
Photos recently obtained by a Press TV correspondent in Syria show Takfiri terrorists from the al-Nusra Front next to Israeli soldiers, who are speaking face-to-face with terrorists in Golan.
The slain officer, who went by the nickname Johnny, was conferring with the militants, among them representatives of the so-called Free Syrian Army, as well as a Jordanian military figure, when he came under attack in the area on Friday afternoon, Lebanon’s Arabic-language newspaper al-Akhbar reported.
The report, however, did not provide any information about the fate of the Jordanian officer and the militant commanders.
It added that the meeting had been planned in order to explore avenues aimed at slowing the Syrian army’s advances in the strategic southwestern city of Quneitra, situated some 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the capital, Damascus, as well as the city of Dara’a.
The Israeli officer was reportedly from a technical unit in the Givati Brigade. He is said to have been in collaboration with the Takfiri terrorist groups in Syria, and helped them acquire modern communications equipment.
Photos recently obtained by a Press TV correspondent in Syria show Takfiri terrorists from the al-Nusra Front next to Israeli soldiers, who are speaking face-to-face with terrorists in Golan.
The pictures further prove Tel Aviv’s support for al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, especially al-Nusra Front, which have been wreaking havoc in Syria.
Israel is known to have been providing medical, intelligence and military support for terrorists operating to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. A number of terrorist commanders, wounded in government attacks on terrorists, have reportedly been hospitalized in the occupied territories.
The Israeli military’s close cooperation with the terrorists also assisted the regime’s bombing of a convoy belonging to the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, on January 18.
Six Hezbollah members, including Jihad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general lost their lives in the Israeli aerial assault on the Syrian section of the Golan Heights. Jihad was the son of Hezbollah’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in an Israeli-orchestrated bombing back in 2008.
Hezbollah later announced that the attack was coordinated between Tel Aviv and the al-Nusra terrorists.
Late last year, a UN report confirmed contact between terrorists in Syria and the Israeli military across the Golan ceasefire line, especially during heavy clashes between the terrorists and the Syrian troops.
The report also confirmed that terrorists had been taking their wounded comrades into the Israeli-occupied part of Golan for treatment.
Reports: “Israeli Soldier Killed As Syrian Army Targets Gunmen In al-Quneitra”
According to reports by the Almayadeen News Agency and the Al-Akhbar News Agency, an Israeli officer was shot and killed, a few days ago, “during a meeting between Israeli officers and officials of the Free Syrian Army” in al-Quneitra city, southwest of Syria.
The reports allege the officer was among a number of Israeli commanders who met with leaders of the “Free Syrian Army” a few days ago, including Abu Osama an-Na’imi, who was also killed in the incident.
They said the officer; referred to as “Johnny,” was killed when Syrian soldiers targeted a site belonging to the Free Syrian Army in the al-Fitian town, in the Quneitra suburb.
According to the Almayadeen report, the Israeli commander, in addition to Abu Osama and, a Jordanian officer, were planning to attack Daraa and al-Quneitra to obstruct the Syrian army after it managed to advance into the area for the first time since mid-February.
In addition, the Al-Akhbar News Agency in Lebanon said it is likely that the Israeli commander was in charge of communications in a unit of the Givati Israeli Brigade, and was allegedly “involved in training armed fighters in Syria on advanced communication systems.”
Al-Akbar quoted unnamed senior sources stating that the location where Israel said its officer “was injured by a live round” is relatively far from areas of clashes; therefore, “it is possible Israel is preparing to declare the death of its soldier without defining a clear geographical location.
Israel is known to have been providing medical, intelligence and military support for terrorists operating to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. A number of terrorist commanders, wounded in government attacks on terrorists, have reportedly been hospitalized in the occupied territories.
The Israeli military’s close cooperation with the terrorists also assisted the regime’s bombing of a convoy belonging to the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, on January 18.
Six Hezbollah members, including Jihad Mughniyeh, and an Iranian general lost their lives in the Israeli aerial assault on the Syrian section of the Golan Heights. Jihad was the son of Hezbollah’s slain military commander, Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in an Israeli-orchestrated bombing back in 2008.
Hezbollah later announced that the attack was coordinated between Tel Aviv and the al-Nusra terrorists.
Late last year, a UN report confirmed contact between terrorists in Syria and the Israeli military across the Golan ceasefire line, especially during heavy clashes between the terrorists and the Syrian troops.
The report also confirmed that terrorists had been taking their wounded comrades into the Israeli-occupied part of Golan for treatment.
Reports: “Israeli Soldier Killed As Syrian Army Targets Gunmen In al-Quneitra”
According to reports by the Almayadeen News Agency and the Al-Akhbar News Agency, an Israeli officer was shot and killed, a few days ago, “during a meeting between Israeli officers and officials of the Free Syrian Army” in al-Quneitra city, southwest of Syria.
The reports allege the officer was among a number of Israeli commanders who met with leaders of the “Free Syrian Army” a few days ago, including Abu Osama an-Na’imi, who was also killed in the incident.
They said the officer; referred to as “Johnny,” was killed when Syrian soldiers targeted a site belonging to the Free Syrian Army in the al-Fitian town, in the Quneitra suburb.
According to the Almayadeen report, the Israeli commander, in addition to Abu Osama and, a Jordanian officer, were planning to attack Daraa and al-Quneitra to obstruct the Syrian army after it managed to advance into the area for the first time since mid-February.
In addition, the Al-Akhbar News Agency in Lebanon said it is likely that the Israeli commander was in charge of communications in a unit of the Givati Israeli Brigade, and was allegedly “involved in training armed fighters in Syria on advanced communication systems.”
Al-Akbar quoted unnamed senior sources stating that the location where Israel said its officer “was injured by a live round” is relatively far from areas of clashes; therefore, “it is possible Israel is preparing to declare the death of its soldier without defining a clear geographical location.
10 mar 2015
IDF artillery on Golan Heights
While Israeli military believes shots fired from direction of Syria, IDF yet to retaliate on source of attack.
An IDF officer was lightly wounded on the Golan Heights on Tuesday by gunfire emanating from Syria. The officer, who sustained a light wound to his hand, continued to conduct the operation and was not evacuated to receive medical care. The officer was part of an infantry force on routine patrol duty in the area of kibbutz El-Rum.
The IDF initially believed the gunfire was intentional but – as of now – has yet to retaliate towards the source of the attack.
Despite the gunfire, the Israeli military did not change its directives to civilians in the area. The incident marked the first security breach on the northern front since the fatal attack in the Arab village of Ghajar in January. In that incident, two soldiers were killed and several were wounded along Israel's border with Lebanon after a Hezbollah anti-tank attack on an IDF convoy. The casualties were, Captain Yohai Kalangel, 25, and Sergeant Dor Nini, 20, who were killed by the first anti-tank missile on the convoy.
Meanwhile, a correspondent of Al Manar, a network affiliated with Hezbollah, claimed that an IDF force fired over his team while they were filming an item on Israeli violations in the Shebaa Farms on Tuesday. Ynet was told shots were fired in the air towards a Lebanese force moving too close to the Blue Line. There was no confirmation of an incident in which IDF soldiers crossed the demarcation.
While Israeli military believes shots fired from direction of Syria, IDF yet to retaliate on source of attack.
An IDF officer was lightly wounded on the Golan Heights on Tuesday by gunfire emanating from Syria. The officer, who sustained a light wound to his hand, continued to conduct the operation and was not evacuated to receive medical care. The officer was part of an infantry force on routine patrol duty in the area of kibbutz El-Rum.
The IDF initially believed the gunfire was intentional but – as of now – has yet to retaliate towards the source of the attack.
Despite the gunfire, the Israeli military did not change its directives to civilians in the area. The incident marked the first security breach on the northern front since the fatal attack in the Arab village of Ghajar in January. In that incident, two soldiers were killed and several were wounded along Israel's border with Lebanon after a Hezbollah anti-tank attack on an IDF convoy. The casualties were, Captain Yohai Kalangel, 25, and Sergeant Dor Nini, 20, who were killed by the first anti-tank missile on the convoy.
Meanwhile, a correspondent of Al Manar, a network affiliated with Hezbollah, claimed that an IDF force fired over his team while they were filming an item on Israeli violations in the Shebaa Farms on Tuesday. Ynet was told shots were fired in the air towards a Lebanese force moving too close to the Blue Line. There was no confirmation of an incident in which IDF soldiers crossed the demarcation.
12 feb 2015
Foreign-backed militants fighting against the Syrian government have called on the Israeli regime to target the positions of the Syrian army and Hezbollah resistance movement in the Golan Heights, a report says.
The appeal comes as the Syrian forces, backed by Hezbollah fighters, have made gains against the militants in the southern parts of Syria and inflicted heavy losses on them in the recent days.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that Syrian troops and allied fighters “have made significant progress” in the sensitive border regions near Jordan and the occupied Golan Heights.
“Syrian rebels, whose forces are fighting against a new offensive in the south by the axis of the Syrian army, Hezbollah, and Iran, are calling on Israel to attack their positions before they are able to take the Syrian Golan that borders Israel,” an Israeli Druse, who is in frequent contact with the militants in Syria, was quoted by the Israeli Jerusalem Post as saying.
The report also added that Mendi Safadi, who served as former Likud Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara’s chief of staff, met with members of the militant groups from Syria in Bulgaria around 10 days ago and “traveled in the region, met with activists, and relayed messages from them to the Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu]’s office.”
Safadi told the Jerusalem Post that the Syrian forces are “using all means” to retake control of the areas in southern Syria.
“The Syrian opposition contacted me yesterday [Wednesday] in a Whatsapp message and asked for me to relay a message to the Israeli prime minister that Israel should give Hezbollah and Iran another hard hit in order to stop their progress,” he said.
Safadi added that a commander of the terrorist Free Syrian Army, who did not want to be identified, “relayed to me coordinates where Syrian and Hezbollah forces are located.”
Israel treating injured militants
The militants “have been hit hard,” he said, adding that many injured terrorists have crossed into Israel for medical treatment over the past few days.
Around 2,000 militants from Syria have been treated by Israel, Safadi said.
Israeli attack
Israel carried out an airstrike on the Syrian section of the Golan Heights on January 18, killing six Hezbollah members as well as Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, an Iranian commander. Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, was also among those killed in the attack.
They were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle. Following the attack, Israel claimed that it was unaware of the presence of an Iranian commander in the area where the attack happened. Iranian officials, however, have rejected the claim, describing it as a routine tactic used by Israelis to hide their evil intentions.
Allahdadi had traveled to Syria to provide consultation and help the Syrian government and nation counter the Takfiri terrorists in the country.
The Lebanese resistance movement carried out a retaliatory attack on January 28, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring several others in an area in southern Lebanon that is occupied by the Israeli regime. Hezbollah’s surprise attack also destroyed at least nine Israeli military vehicles.
The Israeli regime responded with combined aerial and ground strikes on southern Lebanon.
The appeal comes as the Syrian forces, backed by Hezbollah fighters, have made gains against the militants in the southern parts of Syria and inflicted heavy losses on them in the recent days.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that Syrian troops and allied fighters “have made significant progress” in the sensitive border regions near Jordan and the occupied Golan Heights.
“Syrian rebels, whose forces are fighting against a new offensive in the south by the axis of the Syrian army, Hezbollah, and Iran, are calling on Israel to attack their positions before they are able to take the Syrian Golan that borders Israel,” an Israeli Druse, who is in frequent contact with the militants in Syria, was quoted by the Israeli Jerusalem Post as saying.
The report also added that Mendi Safadi, who served as former Likud Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara’s chief of staff, met with members of the militant groups from Syria in Bulgaria around 10 days ago and “traveled in the region, met with activists, and relayed messages from them to the Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu]’s office.”
Safadi told the Jerusalem Post that the Syrian forces are “using all means” to retake control of the areas in southern Syria.
“The Syrian opposition contacted me yesterday [Wednesday] in a Whatsapp message and asked for me to relay a message to the Israeli prime minister that Israel should give Hezbollah and Iran another hard hit in order to stop their progress,” he said.
Safadi added that a commander of the terrorist Free Syrian Army, who did not want to be identified, “relayed to me coordinates where Syrian and Hezbollah forces are located.”
Israel treating injured militants
The militants “have been hit hard,” he said, adding that many injured terrorists have crossed into Israel for medical treatment over the past few days.
Around 2,000 militants from Syria have been treated by Israel, Safadi said.
Israeli attack
Israel carried out an airstrike on the Syrian section of the Golan Heights on January 18, killing six Hezbollah members as well as Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi, an Iranian commander. Hezbollah said 25-year-old Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, was also among those killed in the attack.
They were reportedly on a field reconnaissance mission in Quneitra when an Israeli military helicopter targeted their vehicle. Following the attack, Israel claimed that it was unaware of the presence of an Iranian commander in the area where the attack happened. Iranian officials, however, have rejected the claim, describing it as a routine tactic used by Israelis to hide their evil intentions.
Allahdadi had traveled to Syria to provide consultation and help the Syrian government and nation counter the Takfiri terrorists in the country.
The Lebanese resistance movement carried out a retaliatory attack on January 28, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring several others in an area in southern Lebanon that is occupied by the Israeli regime. Hezbollah’s surprise attack also destroyed at least nine Israeli military vehicles.
The Israeli regime responded with combined aerial and ground strikes on southern Lebanon.
8 feb 2015
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has held Israeli regime and Saudi Arabia responsible for flaming the fan of the country’s four-year crisis, saying they provide support for the terrorists.
Speaking in Damascus in an exclusive interview with Iran's Arabic-language al-Alam News Network, Muallem reiterated that the “Zionist Regime is behind the scenes of all incidents in Syria.”
Muallem further emphasized that the efforts of Israel to create a buffer zone on the Golan Heights would not succeed, warning that the “Syrian army and popular resistance forces are ready to continue military efforts to counter terrorist group al-Nusra Front and Zionist plots along Syria’s border.”
He also noted that the “narrow-minded policies” of Tel Aviv would surely bring about repeated failure for it.
Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s role in fueling violence in Syria, the minister rebuked Riyadh for supporting terrorist groups such as Jaysh al-Islam and its leader Zahran Alloush, explaining that extremist group “is dependent on Saudi Arabia” and Damascus is well aware of this connection.
He went on to say that the ISIL Takfiri militants originated from the Wahhabi ideology, and that, “There is no tie with Saudi Arabia even in diplomatic level” because of Riyadh’s intentions.
He further advised the Saudis to look into their policies for the sake of their own interests.
Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fueled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 200,000 people, according to reports. New figures show that over 76,000 people, including thousands of children, lost their lives in Syria last year.
Over 7.2 million Syrians have also become internally displaced due to the ongoing crisis, according to the United Nations.
The Takfiri terrorist groups, with members from several Western countries, control swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, and have been carrying out horrific acts of violence such as public decapitations and crucifixions against all communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has held Israeli regime and Saudi Arabia responsible for flaming the fan of the country’s four-year crisis, saying they provide support for the terrorists.
Speaking in Damascus in an exclusive interview with Iran's Arabic-language al-Alam News Network, Muallem reiterated that the “Zionist Regime is behind the scenes of all incidents in Syria.”
Muallem further emphasized that the efforts of Israel to create a buffer zone on the Golan Heights would not succeed, warning that the “Syrian army and popular resistance forces are ready to continue military efforts to counter terrorist group al-Nusra Front and Zionist plots along Syria’s border.”
He also noted that the “narrow-minded policies” of Tel Aviv would surely bring about repeated failure for it.
Speaking about Saudi Arabia’s role in fueling violence in Syria, the minister rebuked Riyadh for supporting terrorist groups such as Jaysh al-Islam and its leader Zahran Alloush, explaining that extremist group “is dependent on Saudi Arabia” and Damascus is well aware of this connection.
He went on to say that the ISIL Takfiri militants originated from the Wahhabi ideology, and that, “There is no tie with Saudi Arabia even in diplomatic level” because of Riyadh’s intentions.
He further advised the Saudis to look into their policies for the sake of their own interests.
Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fueled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 200,000 people, according to reports. New figures show that over 76,000 people, including thousands of children, lost their lives in Syria last year.
Over 7.2 million Syrians have also become internally displaced due to the ongoing crisis, according to the United Nations.
The Takfiri terrorist groups, with members from several Western countries, control swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, and have been carrying out horrific acts of violence such as public decapitations and crucifixions against all communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
