Two mortar shells fired from Syria on Monday afternoon landed in the demilitarized zone between Syria and Israel in the northern Golan Heights. The mortar shells were fired east of the Druse village of Masaada. Many area residents called in reporting they hear “loud explosions”.

It appears that the shells were fired by the Syrian army in a village about a half kilometer (3/10 mile) from the Israeli border and they were fired from east to west, that is to say that they were not directed over the border into Israel. UN peacekeeping forces in the area reported to IDF officials that in recent days there has been significant mortar fire in the area and they have been compelled to remain under cover.

The daily HaMevaser reports that a senior IDF northern command official quoted anonymously states troops along the border are on alert in any event due to the instability that exists in Syria today. Nevertheless, IDF operations along the border remain unchanged at this time.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)