JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel struck the rocket launcher in Syria used to shoot the two rockets that landed in the Sea of Galilee, killing several members of the Islamic State terrorist group, a Russian news agency reported.
The area near the launcher also was targeted with artillery on Wednesday night, according to the Israeli army.
Sputnik, the Russian agency, reported that ISIS was attempting to hit Syrian army positions but accidentally struck Israel with the two rockets that landed in the Sea of Galilee when it was full of swimmers and vacationers.
The Russian Defense Ministry praised Israel for its strike.
Israeli defense officials believe, however, that the Islamic State, which was under attack from the Syrian army from the north and east, intentionally hit Israel so that it would strike Syria in retaliation, Ynet reported.
“The IDF will act against any attempt to violate the State of Israel’s sovereignty and undermine the security of its citizens,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
Stray rockets and mortars have landed in the Israeli Golan in the past as a result of fighting in Syria’s ongoing civil war, but none have reached as far as the Sea of Galilee.
