Israeli military circles have flatly denied allegations emanating from Damascus, Moscow and the terrorist radio stations that Israel has concentrated its forces on the northern border, particularly the Golan Heights, since signing the interim accord with Egypt in Sinai, The circles said that this type of provocative report has been circulated before by the Syrians and others opposed to the Sinai accord, They said reports that Israel has shifted guns and missiles from the Sinai to the Golan are absolutely groundless.
Meanwhile, the Syrians are making much of the fatal shooting two days ago of two Syrian shepherds who strayed across the disengagement line on the Golan Heights and failed to heed warnings to turn back. The army has already expressed official regrets over the incident but Damascus claims it is further evidence that Israel is “heating up” the northern border.
A question has been submitted to the Knesset by MK Yosef Sarid of the Labor Alignment implying that the Israeli soldiers who shot the shepherds were trigger-happy. An officer of the northern command said in Haifa last night that the Syrians frequently infiltrate Israeli territory for intelligence purposes and maintain an army unit disguised as Palestinians.
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