Israel has reportedly targeted, by means of a rocket, an alleged Iranian installation in the Syrian village of Tal Bariqa, which is located just a few meters away from the Israeli-side of the armistice line, in the Southwestern part of Quneitra Governorate.
According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, no injuries were reported, yet “material damage” was caused. Several international and Israeli media reports claimed that the Israeli rocket-fire came shortly after Hezbollah militiamen were spotted in the area, yet TV7 was unable to confirm these reports.
While the IDF spokesperson’s unit refused to confirm nor deny Israel’s responsibility, reiterating that it does not comment on foreign reports; a military source told TV7 that the attack was “most likely” part of Jerusalem’s declared efforts to thwart Iranian elements from entrenching along Israel’s northern frontier. The source, who spoke to TV7 on condition of anonymity as he was not permitted to speak, revealed that the IDF’s rules-of-engagement along the border with Syria are clear: “Do not take any chances. Respond to any sign of aggression.”
While Iran did not immediately respond to TV7’s request for comment – a Hezbollah source rejected the claims that any of the organization’s militiamen were present in the area, prior to the alleged Israeli attack.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vaguely alluded to Israel’s responsibility for the attack in Syria, as part of Jerusalem’s continued efforts to combat Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah. In an address the Israeli leader gave at a state memorial ceremony for Israel’s late revisionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky in Mount Herzl, Netanyahu also spoke about yesterday’s attack on Israel’s southern front, and wished a speedy recovery to the soldiers who were injured in the encounter with a terrorist at the border of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The Israeli leader said: “In the south yesterday, a terrorist from Gaza tried to attack Israel. He was neutralized by our forces, and I send in your name and on behalf of the whole Israeli people wishes of fast recovery to the wounded [IDF soldiers]. At the same time, we are also fighting on additional fronts. On the northern front, we are combating Iran and Hezbollah, and you hear about it these days.”
Netanyahu also made mention of Israel’s efforts to protect itself, by systematically cultivating the so-called “Iron Wall” of the Jewish State, while at the same time actively bolstering the country’s offensive capabilities. In his words “At the beginning of this week we were informed of the success of the experiments there [in the U.S.], with the Arrow 3 Interception System. This is a tremendous achievement that will allow us to act against ballistic missiles aimed at us from Iran, as well as from other locations. We systematically cultivate Israel’s Iron Wall, our military, intelligence, technological power both in defense and in attack. This power begins underground, in the demolition of our enemy’s terror tunnels, and it goes past the atmosphere. We protect ourselves all the time.”
The Israeli leader seized the opportunity to signal “Jerusalem’s demands” to Washington, which Netanyahu plans to “insist on”, ahead of the anticipated unveiling of the Trump Administration’s political-dimension of the so-called “deal of the century.” According to him: “Our diplomatic relations are in unprecedented high. This is not the result of a loose and ‘flatter’ policy, but just the opposite. It is the outcome of our firm insistence on our essential interests. When we insist on our truth – the leading world powers become convinced [of our truth]. We insisted on going against the whole world regarding the nuclear deal with Iran, and President Trump withdraw from the agreement. We insisted that our capital – Jerusalem remain united under Israeli sovereignty, and the world is beginning to recognize it. We insisted that the Golan Heights must be under our sovereignty, another factor the world is begun accepting. I insist that the control of security in the entire area west of Jordan will always remain in our hands, and even Arab states are starting to recognize that. I insist that no settlement be uprooted. I firmly insist on preventing even the slightest implementation of what the Palestinians call the “right of return.” I insist on the recognition of Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people.”