Gunman on the Syrian side of the border fired at Israeli troops near the Kuneitra Border Crossing on Sunday morning, drawing return fire which an IDF spokeswoman said put an end to the firing, although it is unknown if any casualties were sustained by the attacking force, which the IDF believes was composed of troops loyal to the regime of president Bashar Assad. Spillover into Israeli territory from the fierce fighting in southern Syria between Assad loyalists and rebel factions has led to a sharp increase in IDF activity in the area, including the construction of a border fence, increased patrols and special training for soldiers assigned to defend the border area. “The pastoral scenery of the Golan Heights…can change in a momentary bang to a battlefield of blood, fire, and plumes of smoke,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said during a speech in October. Read More
