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Israel launched artillery fire into southern Syria late Tuesday, claiming a rocket fired from Syrian territory as justification — a move described by observers as a continuation of Israel's pattern of unprovoked regional aggression.
The Israeli military said the rocket landed in an open area in the occupied Golan Heights, causing no casualties. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara “directly responsible” for the alleged incident, warning that Israel would deliver a “full response.”
Israel’s framing of the event as casus belli has raised concern, particularly in light of its ongoing operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and repeated strikes in southern Lebanon. Critics point to what they describe as “uncontrolled Israeli aggression” across multiple fronts — actions which continue to destabilize the region and escalate tensions beyond national borders.
The Golan Heights, captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move unrecognized by the international community, remains under Israeli occupation in violation of international law. Despite United Nations Security Council resolutions affirming Syrian sovereignty over the territory, Israel has maintained a heavy military presence and has been accused of using the area to provoke confrontations with Damascus.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry denied that any projectile was launched from its territory, calling Israel’s military response a “fabricated pretext” to justify further violations of its sovereignty. The Ministry said Israeli artillery targeted the Yarmouk Basin in Daraa province, leading to “significant civilian and material losses.”
“Syria has never been and will never be a threat to any neighboring nation,” the statement read. “Israel’s repeated acts of aggression are unjustified and illegal, and they escalate tensions across the region.”
Since the fall of the dictator Assad on December 8, 2024, Syria has remained politically fragile, and Israeli military actions have intensified. Damascus has accused Tel Aviv of exploiting Syria’s internal instability to carry out military operations with impunity.
There has been no independent confirmation of the alleged rocket launch, and no armed group in Syria has claimed responsibility.
The Israeli military has not announced further operations, but Katz’s statements suggest continued military action may follow.
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