Syrian shell lands in Golan Heights

A shell fired in Syria landed in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights Tuesday evening.

The army said the errant shell landed in an open area, causing no injuries.

Unconfirmed reports from Syria on social media claimed the Syrian military fired on rebel forces in the village of Hamidiya, in the demilitarized zone, around the time of the incident.

Last week the Israel Defense Forces fired on a Syrian government position in the Golan Heights after a tank shell landed in Israeli territory.

That shell caused no injuries or damage. It fell during reported clashes between Syrian government and rebel forces in the villages of Ufaniya and Hamidiya in the demilitarized zone.

Syrian government forces were also shelling the village of Hamidiya with artillery.

The IDF said it retaliated by firing on a Syrian army position, and identified a direct hit. It didn’t specify how it attacked the Syrian position, but pro-government Syrian media said Israeli helicopters attacked the position, causing damage but no injuries.

Israel has repeatedly stated it holds the Syrian government responsible for all errant fire — regardless of the source — if it lands on the Israeli side of the demilitarized zone. However, in the past, the army has also noted that it “will not hesitate to act against any opposition forces in Syria.”