A woman settler in Ramat Magshimim and an Israeli policeman were killed and five soldiers injured in an intensive Syrian artillery attack on Israeli settlements and forces on the Golan Heights. The dead and injured were not immediately identified. This is the first time that settlements have come under direct fire from the Syrians. In addition, the infants’ home at Ein Zivan was damaged by a direct hit shortly after the babies were taken to the shelters.
Today’s events along the Syrian front started at about 9:30 a.m. when the Syrians opened mortar and artillery fire on Israeli forces over a wide section of the line. Two hours later the Syrians intensified their fire and expanded the line of fire to include the settlements of Ramat Magshimim and Nahal Geshor as well as the Kuneitra township area.
As a result of this fire the woman was killed A policeman who was near Kuneitra in his jeep came under fire and was fatally hit. The five soldiers who were injured were also in the Kuneitra area. Meanwhile the Syrians have also directed anti-tank missiles at Israeli forces north of Tel Shams and other positions. Israeli forces returned fire. The exchange lasted intermittently for three hours.
As soon as the Syrian attack started the Golan Heights settlers were ordered into shelters. At Ein Zivan the settlers had just completed taking the children to the shelters when shells started to explode on the perimeter of the settlement. One shell hit the babies’ home moments after they were taken to the shelter. Israeli forces unleashed a heavy barrage of artillery and tank fire. Last week it was stated that should the Syrians continue their attacks, Israel may have to introduce air force action against the Syrian artillery batteries.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
