Israel Launches Air Strikes In Syria

Attacks come as Israel escalates military offensive in West Bank

Israel launched multiple air strikes across Syria on Sunday in response to an attack on an Israeli defense contractor’s vehicle in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on the Syria border.

In a statement released Monday, the Israeli military stated, “IDF targeted nine Syrian military positions, confirming direct hits.”

This appears to be the biggest Israeli military onslaught within Syria since the Syrian conflict began over three years ago, according to media reports.

Sunday’s attack on an Israeli vehicle occurred in the area of Tel Hazeka and left a teenager dead. “It was not immediately clear whether Syrian troops or one of the many rebel groups battling the government carried out Sunday’s deadly attack in the Golan,” the Guardianreports. Yet, Israeli officials said they held the Bashar al-Assad regime responsible.

It also was not immediately clear how many people died in Israel‘s multiple air strikes.

Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the 1967 war, and Israel‘s claim to the territory is not recognized internationally.

Sunday’s attacks may signal increased Israeli involvement in what has become a proxy war, with U.S. allies on the side of armed opponents to Assad.

The raids come as Israel launches a massive military offensive in the West Bank, launched after three Israeli teenagers from the Gush Etzion settlement went missing, that has left five people dead of gunshot wounds and over 400 Palestinians arrested.

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