Anti-aircraft fire over Damascus in the midst of an Israeli strike. (File photo via hurriyetdailynews.com).
The Israeli air force reportedly struck at least eight targets in Syria on Tuesday night between the Golan Heights and the capital of Damascus, including a weapons depot, a housing complex for Iranian officials, a Syrian regime army base and surface-to-air missile batteries. Syrian state news confirmed the “Israeli aggression” and claimed to have shot down several incoming missiles, although no evidence was produced. At least three militants were killed and one wounded, but it was not clear whether they were Syrian army regulars or members of pro-Iranian militia.
The punitive strikes come one day after the Israeli military uncovered several explosive devices along the Israeli side of the “Alpha Line,” or the western-edge of the UN-mandated buffer zone between Israel and Syria. In an statement on social media, the IDF claims that the explosives were intended for Israeli troops, but that they were discovered before they were detonated and were neutralized without causing any casualties or damage. Israeli commanders believe that the devices were planted by Syrian nationals at the direction of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
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The explosives plot follows a similar incident in the Golan in August, which was also foiled by the elite Maglan unit of the IDF. Israeli Defense Minster Benny Ganz reiterated the Jewish State’s policy toward neighboring nations who allow terrorists to operate against Israel within their borders, stating that “the IDF has the capabilities and the determination to respond severely to any incident both on the Lebanese and Syrian fronts... I say clearly: Syria is responsible for what occurs on its territory.” Israel and Syria are separated by a neutral zone which is patrolled by a small UN observer force. The western edge of the demilitarized zone borders Israel and is known as the “Alpha Line,” while its eastern “Bravo Line” borders Syria. A bag containing the explosive devices was found about 25 meters (80 feet) to the west of the line inside Israeli territory. Israel appealed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to fulfill its mandate in keeping the peace along the Golan frontier.
We are thankful that the scheme against IDF personnel was exposed and thwarted, and we pray that the Lord would continue to grant the Israeli military discernment and insight into all such secret plots. We pray for the safety of both Israeli and Syrian civilians, and for Israeli soldiers who were placed on a heightened alert as a result of the incident. We pray for FAI teams who are embedded in the Golan and Upper Galilee regions, that each instance of tension and upheaval would present opportunities to serve and testify to those who need Good News in the midst of uncertainty and danger.
Maranatha.
