Third mortar shell lands in Golan

A third mortal shell fired from Syrian territory landed in the Israeli Golan Heights Thursday afternoon and struck an IDF lookout post at Tel Fares, the same location where two previous shells landed the morning. No injuries or damage were reported.

Military authorities believe that the rounds were not aimed at Israel, but rather were errant shells from fighting between the Syrian army and rebel forces.

Since the start of the civil war in Syria in March 2011, dozens of mortar shells have landed in Israeli territory. In the past, Israel filed a complaint with the UN peacekeeping forces in the Golan, requesting that it bring an end to the cross-border shelling.

In mid-August, after 10 shells landed in Israeli territory, the IDF launched a Tammuz missile, destroying a Syrian cannon that had fired at Israel. At the time, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon warned that Israel would not hesitate to meet fire with fire.

“Once attacks from Syria endanger us or violate our sovereignty, we will identify the source of fire and destroy it,” Ya’alon said.

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