Tensions flared this week as two rockets were launched from Syria into Israel’s Golan Heights—marking the first such attack in over a year. No injuries were reported, but the strikes triggered sirens in the communities of Hispin and Ramat Magshimim.
In response, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched artillery fire and airstrikes on sites in southern Syria, targeting weaponry tied to the Syrian regime. The rockets were reportedly fired from the Tasil area, near a known hotspot for recent gunfire incidents against Israeli troops.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz directly blamed Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, declaring, “The full response will come soon.” He added that Israel would hold the Syrian regime accountable for any hostile activity originating from its territory and vowed not to return to a “pre-October 7 reality.”
The Syrian government denied involvement in the attack, stating it was working to control armed non-state actors and condemning Israel’s counterstrikes as violations of sovereignty that caused “heavy human and material losses.” Damascus also called on the international community to intervene and support peace efforts.
The exchange marks a significant escalation amid shifting regional alliances. Sharaa, who ousted Iran-backed Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, has since been embraced by the U.S., with sanctions lifted and a planned speech at the UN General Assembly in September.
Despite some outreach, Israel remains cautious toward the new Syrian leadership and has maintained military operations across the border. The incident underscores the volatility along the Israel-Syria frontier, raising concerns of further conflict in an already unstable region.
