Tensions continue to escalate in the Golan Heights as IDF fires Tamuz missile at military post after Syrians fire bullets at IDF patrol.

On Saturday the Syrians hit an IDF jeep with rifle fire.

Yoav Zitun

The IDF opened fire at a Syrian military post on Sunday after the Syrians opened fire at IDF soldiers. The IDF used a Tamuz anti-tank guided missile at a Syrian post in the Tel Fares area in the southern Golan Heights. There were no casualties on the Israeli side. The Syrian post was destroyed and two armed Syrians were wounded.

IDF artillery – Photo Courtesy: IDF Spokesperson Unit

Following the incident, construction of the northern border fence was halted. Army presence in the area has been increased with the IDF on high alert.

The Tamuz missile was fired by the Artillery Corp’s Meytar unit. The troops that carried out the missile fire were friends and comrades in arms of the soldiers wh were fired at on Saturday night.

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Speaking of the recent escalation Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said: “We take the firing (of bullets) at IDF forces in Israeli territory very seriously.

“In response the IDFreturned fire in line with the government policy: Any violation of Israeli sovereignty and fire from the Syrian side will be answered with the silencing of the source of fire. The Syrian regime is responsible for every breach of sovereignty,” Ya’alon added.

An IDF jeep on patrol in the southern Golan Heights was hit by a bullet fired from Syria on Saturday. This time, it was an IDF foot patrol that was hit by Syrian bullets. The IDF responded with heavy artillery directed at the Syrian post where the bullets originated from. The IDF reported it was a direct hit. The post belongs to the Syrian army but the area is occupied by many Syrian rebels.

The incident occurred at around 9 pm at the Tel Fares region in the Golan Heights as a bullet hit an IDF jeep. The Northern Command said, “There were no injuries, minor damage was caused to the vehicle.”

The heightened tensions on the Syrian border played a key role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s decision to apologize to Turkey over the Marmara raid.

In a Facebook post, Netanyahu explained that the situation in Syria warrants a reevaluation of Israel’s relations with Turkey and noted that the presence of Global Jihad terrorists on the Syrian-Israel border in the Golan Heights “creates serious challenges for our defense establishment.”

He further added, “It’s important that Turkey and Israel, which both share a border with Syria, are able to communicate with each other and this is also relevant to other regional challenges. In addition, the visit of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Kerry created an opportunity to end the crisis.”

“Syria is crumbling, and its massive stockpiles of advanced weapons are starting to fall into the hands of various elements. What we fear most is that terrorist groups will get their hands on chemical weapons.”

Last Wednesday, four wounded Syrians arrived at Israel’s border.

They were treated by the IDF near the border and two were taken to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa on the orders of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz .

The other two will be returned to Syria.

The four were injured by mortar shells and are in moderate condition. Last month, seven Syrians hurt in clashes near the border were treated in Israel. They were returned to Syria after receiving treatment at a Safed hospital. The IDF stressed the incident does not pose a precedent or any change in Israel’s policy toward Syria.

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4360321,00.html