By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Security forces in Israel on Sunday said they have responded to rockets fired toward Israel by Syria, by striking several Syrian targets as the world marks Easter, the pChristian festival of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), six rockets were launched toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights starting late Saturday. The attacks came in two barrages, the IDF added.
Two rockets “crossed into Israeli territory,” and one rocket was intercepted in the second.
Earlier, three rockets had been launched, with one landing in the southern Golan Heights. There were no reports of casualties.
The IDF in response said it hit the launchers in Syria from which the rockets were fired and a Syrian military compound, radar systems, and army artillery posts.
The Golan Heights is a strategically important rocky region, about 60 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide.
The plateau was conquered by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967 and annexed in 1981.
The international community considers area of Syrian territory occupied by Israel.
Israel’s air force regularly bombs targets in neighbouring Syria to prevent Iranian militias from expanding their military influence in the war-torn country.
The missile attacks come amid high tensions in the region after rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza and Lebanon recently, with Israel quickly initiating counter-attacks.
