Mortar explodes next to news crew in Golan
No injuries; IDF says it was errant fire from Syrian fighting, but Israel Radio reporter at scene contends it was intentional
A mortar shell fired from Syria exploded in the Golan Heights Wednesday, meters from where Israeli journalists were surveying the area.
The IDF said that it was unintentional spillover from fighting between Syrian rebels and regime forces, but an Israel Radio reporter who was in the vicinity of the blast site said it was intentional fire on Israel.
There were no injuries reported.
Wednesday’s incident marks the second time this week a mortar fired from Syrian territory has landed in the Israeli side of the Golan Heights.
עשן הנפילה, צילום: אביהו שפירא. נהג מילוט: אני pic.twitter.com/ZAdOWDXjcn
— עידן אבני idan avni (@idanavni75) September 17, 2014
Shells from Syria have landed sporadically on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights for the past several weeks as Syrian regime forces and rebel factions battle for the Quneitra crossing, with the rebels reportedly gaining control of almost the entire Syrian border with Israel.
Meanwhile, UN peacekeepers have largely evacuated their Syrian position, moving most of their equipment and personnel from Camp Faouar, their main headquarters in Syria, to Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.