Syrian gunners in the Lake Tiberias border area ended a long period of tranquility in the section today by opening fire with anti-tank guns on an Israeli police patrol boat. Two members of the police crew were seriously wounded and rushed to a hospital.
The incident began when two Israeli fishing boat crews began spreading nets some 1,500 feet from the northeastern bank of the lake. Syrian troops began shooting at the fishermen with machineguns.
The police boat hurried to the scene and returned the machinegun fire, enabling the fishing boats to retreat. The Syrians then put their anti-tank guns, which were mounted on positions along the eastern bank, into operation. They scored a number of hits on the boat but the police crew managed to return the boat to shore under its own power.
Israel lodged a strong protest with the Syrian – Israel Mixed Armistice Commission.
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