After some 25 mortar shells landed in the northern Golan Heights on Tuesday morning, Tisha B’Av 5773, soldiers were under fire during the evening hours. IDF officials report once again they do not believe the gunfire was directed at the soldiers, but it was more likely stray fire from the ongoing civil war in that country.

It appears two rebel fighters running from opposing gunfire hid in an abandoned outpost. Soldiers were alerted to their presence and were dispatched to inspect what was taking place. The rebels were gone when they arrived. As they were leaving the outpost, gunfire was directed at them. There were no injuries. Military officials believe Syrian forces thought they were firing at the rebels who occupied the abandoned outpost earlier. The IDF soldiers did return fire towards Syria. Syrian officials report the gunmen were metal thieves that crossed the border.

The air force sent fighter planes and helicopter gunships to the area. Simultaneously, sirens sounded in the area. That was the result of a technical malfunction, not another rocket attack.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)