Tag Archive for Golan Heights

| June 7, 2013
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Putin: Russia prepared to replace Austrian (UN) peacekeepers in Golan Heights

Putin commits Russian troops just a day after Vienna announced it would recall its forces from the UN monitoring force, due to worsening fighting in Syria.

By , and Reuters
 

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia is ready to send peacekeepers to the Golan Heights to replace Austrian forces after Vienna said it would recall its troops from a UN monitoring force due to worsening fighting in Syria.

Quneitra

Clashes at Quneitra on the Israel-Syria border caused brush fire that crossed into Israel. – Photo: Gil Eliyahu

“We could replace the leaving Austrian contingent in this region on the border between Israeli troops and the Syrian army,” Putin told the RIA Novosti news agency. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| June 7, 2013
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Syrians seek refuge in Israel

After battle between Assad’s forces & rebels in Golan Heights, dozens of Syrians attempt to cross into Israel, but IDF soldiers send them back after determining Quneitra was safe.

Meanwhile, wildfires caused by Syrian gunfire spreads crosses the border into Israel

By Yoav Zitun

 

Dozens of Syrians arrived at the Quneitra border crossing between Israel and Syria at around noon Thursday and requested entry into Israel.

Syrian-born fire reaches Golan shrubbery - Photo Haggai Aharon

Syrian-born fire reaches Golan shrubbery – Photo: Haggai Aharon

According to assessments, hundreds of dunams have gone up in flames, some of which have come near the IDF’s Golan positions. An Israeli firefighter squad is currently at the scene attempting to take control of the fire and the IDF has instructed local farmers to stay away from their lands near the border for the time being. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| June 7, 2013
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Jerusalem to UN: Replace Austrian peacekeepers that withdrew from Golan Heights

Israel says it does regret Austria’s decision to pull its more than 300 troops out of the 1,100-strong UN force following clashes at Quneitra, but expects the UN to maintain its mandate on the Israel-Syria border.

 

Israel demanded on Thursday that the United Nations replace the Austrian soldiers that were pulled out of a UN peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights as soon as possible.

Quneitra Syria

Smoke rises from a fire as a result of fighting in the Syrian village of Quneitra near the border with Israel. – Photo: AP

Following the battles at Quneitra in Syria early on Thursday morning, Austria announced it was withdrawing its troops that serve in the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan.

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| June 5, 2013
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Hezbollah seeking reason for confrontation in Golan, Israel says

 

IDF officials: Hezbollah seeks to ensure Golan Heights  doesn’t fall under rebels’ control.

Hezbollah also hopes to use confrontation in Syria to acquire advanced Syrian weaponry without being detected by Israel,  although no attempt has been made since the alleged Israeli airstrike.

By Lilach Shoval

Israeli defense officials believe Hezbollah has been trying to establish a strategic foothold in the Syrian Golan Heights to facilitate attacks on Israel from that area, Israel Hayom has learned.

The Syria-Israel border may become a new venue for Hezbollah attacks – Photo: AFP

Although the organization still has a long way to go before it has a permanent presence in the area, its leader, Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, has recently indicated the existence of such a plan.

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| June 5, 2013
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Two Syrian shells explode in northern Golan Heights

 

Two Syrian shells land in open area, but, IDF still uncertain on which side of the border.


Assad’s forces clash with rebels over the last 24 hours in villages near Israel’s border.

Yoav Zitun

 

 

Two mortar shells exploded in an open area near the Syrian border in the Golan Heights, south of Majdal-Shams.

 

IDF tanks in the Golan Heights - Photo Courtesy IDF Spokesperson's Office

IDF tanks in the Golan Heights – Photo Courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Office

 

The IDF is currently investigating whether they fell on the Israeli or Syrian side of the border.

Over the last 24 hours fierce battles were fought between Syrian rebels and Assad’s forces in villages adjacent to the border. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| May 28, 2013
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Austria says their UN peacekeeping troops will stay on Golan…for now

Vienna warned it would pull their UN peacekeepers if EU decides to arm the Syrian rebels.

By REUTERS

 

 

Austria retracted a threat to pull 380 peacekeepers from the UN buffer zone between Syria and Israel, saying on Tuesday that only Britain and France – not the whole European Union – were ready to arm Syrian rebels.

IDF soldier in the Golan overlooking Syria - Photo NIR ELIAS-Reuters

IDF soldier in the Golan overlooking Syria – Photo: NIR ELIAS-Reuters

Vienna had led efforts to extend an EU arms embargo on Syria, arguing that sending more weapons to the region would only fan the fighting, dash hopes for a peace deal and make Austrian peacekeeping troops potential targets for retribution.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 25, 2013
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Israel in UN: Assad Purposely Provoking Us

“This week’s events are part of a disturbing pattern of events intended to spark provocation with Israel,” said UN ambassador to Security Council.

By Arutz Sheva

 

Israel on Saturday accused Syrian forces of trying to provoke conflict following a border clash.

Tensions around Golan Heights ceasefire zone between the two rivals have escalated since Syrian forces fired across the UN-patrolled ceasefire line and hit an Israeli military vehicle on Tuesday.

“This week’s events are part of a disturbing pattern of events intended to spark provocation with Israel,” said Israel’s UN ambassador Ron Prosor in a letter to the UN Security Council. Continue Reading »

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| May 25, 2013
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Nasrallah’s No. 2 in Hezbollah: Assad serious about making Golan a front

 

Hezbollah’s Sheikh Naim Qassem addresses possibility that the regime’s conflict will develop into fighting Israel in the Golan Heights, saying ‘if needed we are willing to help (the ‘resistance’).’ As for Israeli response, ‘we have the power to deal with any foolish act on Israel’s part,’ Qassem clarifies.

By Roi Kais

After the stray bullets from Syria turned into intentional fire, and while Israel is increasing its alert level, Hezbollah‘s deputy leader appears to be fanning the flames.

Hezbolla's #2, Sheikh Naim Qassem - Photo: Reuters

Hezbollah’s No. 2, Sheikh Naim Qassem – Photo: Reuters

“Opening the Golan front is a serious matter on the part of the Syrian president, and what is left is the performance on the practical level,” Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said Friday in an interview to Lebanese channel al-Mayadeen, which is affiliated with the Shiite group. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 23, 2013
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Syrian Gunfire into Israel Reflects IDF’s Defensive Abilities ‘Undiminished’

The IDF’s ability to deter any Syrian attack on the Golan Heights remains undiminished, says top defense brass.

By Arutz Sheva staff

 

 

Israel’s ability to deter attack on its positions in the Golan Heights remains undiminished despite an uptick in fire from the Syrian side of the ceasefire line, a defense official said on Wednesday.

Google Earth map

Golan Heights’ Israel-Syria border – Google Maps

 

“The good news is that the continued stability of the Golan Heights (and) the deterrent power of the Israeli army have not been weakened,” senior defense adviser Amos Gilad told army radio, adding that, “Daily life goes on as usual.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| May 21, 2013
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Has it begun? IDF and Syrian forces exchange fire for 3rd time this week

After an IDF jeep was hit and damaged by Syrian gunfire, Israel returns fire with precision hit of a Tammuz missile.

By Gili Cohen

 

Syrian forces fired into Israeli territory on Monday night, the third such incident this week. At approximately 1:00 AM, Syrian forces fired at IDF troops patrolling near Tel Fares in the central Golan Heights. No one was wounded, but an army jeep was damaged.

Stray mortar shell lands in Israel's northern Golan Heights.

Stray mortar shell lands in Israel’s northern Golan Heights – Photo: Gil Eliyahu

 

Following the incident, the Artillery Corps returned fire with precision Tammuz missiles. IDF officials said that a military response to the firing incidents on the border was being considered in detail and in accordance with a situation assessment in progress. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| May 16, 2013
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Unknown Palestinian group claims it fired rockets onto Mount Hermon

The group said that it “attacked an observatory of the Zionist entity on the occupied Golan Heights with missiles on the anniversary of return, avenging the martyrs of return [who died] last year.”

By JTA

 

JERUSALEM — A previously unknown Palestinian group took responsibility for two rockets that hit Mount Hermon, a popular Israeli tourist site in the Golan Heights.

Exploded rocket fired into Northern Israel (archive) - IsraelandStuff/PP

Exploded rocket fired into Northern Israel (archive) – IsraelandStuff/PP

The group, which calls itself the Abdul Qader Husseini Battalions of the Free Palestine movement, said in a statement issued Thursday that it fired the projectiles that struck Mount Hermon on Wednesday.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| May 13, 2013
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Syria tells Israel it may enter Golan at any time

Syrian Information Minister: “We have the right to go in and out of it whenever we want and however we please.”

By JTA

JERUSALEM — A Syrian government official warned that his country can enter the Israeli-held Golan Heights at any time.

UNDOF soldiers watching for rebel fighters who've infiltrated the Golan Heights DMZ - Photo Israel Today

UNDOF soldiers watching for rebel fighters who’ve infiltrated the Golan Heights DMZ – Photo Israel Today

“The Golan is Syrian Arab territory and will remain so, even if the Israeli army is stationed there,” Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said Sunday at a news conference in Damascus. “We have the right to go in and out of it whenever we want and however we please.”

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| May 11, 2013
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Syrian-Palestinian terror group says units forming to fight for the Golan

Palestinian terror group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) said that after nearly 40 years of quiet on the Syria-Israel border, it was now preparing for new (terrorist) operations .

By Reuters

 

 

A militant Palestinian group in Damascus said it is forming combat units to try to recapture Israeli-occupied territory, in particular the Golan Heights, after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah that they would support such operations.

The Golan Heights.


A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border shows a Syrian woman waking near the Syria-Israel boundary fence in the Golan Heights near the southern Syrian village of Ar Rafide, May 7, 2013.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| May 11, 2013
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Golan Druze divided over Syrian strife

The Druze residents of Majdal Shams differ in opinion over Assad’s regime, with some angrily calling alleged Israeli air-strike ‘terrorism,’ while others are calling for Syrian president’s elimination.

By Hassan Shaalan

 

 

Most residents of northern Druze village of Majdal Shams believe that a war will break out soon. The explosion shockwaves are very well felt in the border-adjacent Druze village, in which most residents profess they are part of the Syrian people.

מג'דל שמס. על הגבול (צילום: Google Maps)

Majdal Shams – Photo: Google Maps

The latest alleged Israeli attack in Syria caused much controversy in the village. Some residents support the Assad regime, and see the attack as “a terrorist act”. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| May 9, 2013
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Fatah: Resistance doesn’t take orders from Assad or Hezbollah

Fatah plays down report that Assad wants Palestinians to attack Israel via the Golan in response to alleged air-attack.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON

 

 

Fatah spokesman Ahmad Assaf played down the report from The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, which stated that Syria was planning to allow Palestinian factions to attack Israel through the Golan in response to the alleged Israeli attack against Syria.

Palestinians in Syria protest [file]

Palestinians in Syria protest [file] – Photo: REUTERS

The press statement said that the Palestinian resistance does not function by the “push of a button,” according to a report in the London-based daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi.The resistance, according to the statement, does not take orders from any party in respect to the Syrian situation.

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