Posted on 11/11/2012 6:35:33 AM PST by mgist
Israel drawn into Syria fighting for first time AMY TEIBE 8:20 am
Photos
An Israeli military officer surveys the damage of house after a rocket fired by Palestinian militants hit a community along the Israel-Gaza Border, southern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. Rockets and mortars from Gaza have pummeled southern Israel, drawing Israeli airstrikes that killed a Palestinian militant. The Israeli military said 60 rockets and mortars were fired by early morning Wednesday, following a volley the night before and that Israeli aircraft struck Gaza three times.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel was drawn into the Syrian civil war for the first time on Sunday, firing warning shots into the neighboring country after a stray mortar shell fired from Syrian territory hit an Israeli military post.
The Israeli military said the mortar fire caused no injuries or damage at the post in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and then annexed. But in recent weeks, incidents of errant fire from Syria have multiplied, leading Israel to warn that it holds Syria responsible for fire on Israeli-held territory.
"A short while ago, a mortar shell targeted an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) post in the Golan Heights," said army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. "We answered with a warning shot toward Syrian areas. We understand this was a mistake and was not meant to target Israel and then that is why we fired a warning shot in retaliation."
The Israeli military also said it has filed a complaint through United Nations forces operating in the area, stating that "fire emanating from Syria into Israel will not be tolerated and shall be responded to with severity."
Israel and Syria are bitter foes who have fought several wars, but their shared border has been mostly quiet since a 1974 cease-fire. Still, Israel worries that Syria's civil war could spill across into the Golan, and repeated errant fire has intensified that concern.
Israel fears that if Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime is toppled, the country could fall into the hands of Islamic extremists or descend into sectarian warfare, destabilizing the region.
Israeli officials do not see Assad trying to intentionally draw Israel into the fighting, but have raised the possibility of his targeting Israel in an act of desperation. They also fear that Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons or other weapons could slip into the hands of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group — a close Syrian ally — or reach other militants if Assad loses power.
Israeli officials also worry that the frontier region could turn into a lawless area like Egypt's Sinai desert, which Islamic militants now use as a launching ground for strikes against southern Israel.
Speaking to his Cabinet on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is "closely monitoring" the border with Syria and is "ready for any development."
This is the beginning of the Final War...
In case you haven’t noticed, Israel has been getting hit with mortars regularly for years. But it’s true some don’t notice unless it’s around an election.
Amen, Israel hasn’t been hit fron Syria. They’ve had Palestinians throwing rocks and molotov cocktails around. Not the same.
31 rockets fired since this morning.
J Post says 75 rockets launched from Gaza in last 24 hours.
Israel says may escalate as Hamas joins Gaza clashes
Our American media quick to paint this as retaliation for Palestine victims. Ahhhh, God please forgive me for this passionate hate, I mean dislike I have of the deceitful media in this country!
‘GIVE BLOWS WHEN NECESSARY’: DEFENSE MINISTER PROMISES STRONG RESPONSE AS TERRORISTS RAIN ROCKETS INTO SOUTHERN ISRAEL
Obama may catch up with the latest on the situation when he grabs lunch at the turn. (Between the 9th and 10th holes for non-golfers)
Israeli officials are right on this - the way Arab 'leaders' keep their ignorant jealous citizens in line is to attack Israel. It never seems to dawn on Arab States that the reason their countries are sh*t is because their ideas suck. It has NOTHING what so ever to do with Israel. If Israel didn't exist, Arab countries would still be creepy little cultures of hate and resentment...
If Arabs were smart ( which it seems they are NOT ) they would do everything they could to protect Israel - so they could use Israel as an excuse for why Arab cultures fail at creating anything the world values or wants.
Arabs: your cultures produce war, hatred, poverty and hopelessness. Almost every war in the world involves Muslims. Sitting on a pile of oil is NOT the same as being productive and useful. The Israeli culture produces Nobel Prizes, great strides in medicine, technology and the Arts. Israel creates. Arabs destroy.
This is the beginning of the Final War...
You guys always say that.
Actually Israel is a desert rose among thorns. It stands our for many reasons, and if everyobody is just as bad, citizens have nothing to complain about.
Actually Israel is a desert rose among thorns. It stands our for many reasons, and if everyobody is just as bad, citizens have nothing to complain about.
a lawless area like Egypt’s Sinai desert
Maybe it’s just my faulty memory but didn’t that belong
to Israel at one point???
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Yes; emboldened as they know Obama has their back. (Syria that is. . .)
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