Israel Responds as More Syrian Fire Crosses Border

For the second time in as many days, mortar fire from Syria landed in Israel, with the IDF responding to both incidents. The IDF, in a press statement on Monday’s cross-border shelling, described the fire as “part of the internal conflict inside Syria.” The ongoing civil war in Syria has already resulted in cross-border fire at neighbors Turkey and Lebanon, with Israel now taking multiple hits.

The IDF statement said that tank shells were fired “towards the source of the fire” in response on Monday, with direct hits confirmed. The mortar fire caused no damage or injuries in Israel on Monday. The IDF website reported that Sunday’s incident, which did hit an “IDF post” also nonetheless resulted in no reported injuries or damage.

Monday’s IDF statement said that “the IDF has filed a complaint with the UN forces operating in the area, stating that fire emanating from Syria into Israel will not be tolerated and shall be responded to with severity.”

Following Sunday’s mortar fire from Syria, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned of further IDF response to future cross-border fire.

“After a number of shelling incidents into Israeli territory during recent weeks, I instructed the IDF to respond in-kind should the situation recur… Syria has been in the midst of a brutal civil war for over a year, and the IDF has been instructed to prevent the battles from spilling over into our territory,” said Barak in a statement released by his office.

“Additional shelling into Israel from Syria will elicit a tougher response; exacting a higher price from Syria.”

(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, November 12, 2012)