Israel strikes Syria in response to rocket attacks

In response to six missile launches from its Islamic neighbour, Israel launched artillery strikes in southern Syria, according to The Times of Israel, quoting the Israel Defense Force.

The IDF did not immediately offer more information on the strikes. Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces reported that three more rockets were launched from southern Syria at Israeli villages in the Golan Heights. This came just hours after Syria launched three rockets at the Golan Heights, according to The Times of Israel.

On Saturday night, the attention switched to Jerusalem’s Old City, as security forces fear that further turmoil may erupt on Sunday, when Jewish worshippers are anticipated to go to the Western Wall for the Passover priestly blessings, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Jewish visitors are also expected to ascend the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif. An additional 2,300 police troops have been deployed throughout the city.
“Israel is taking every measure to ensure that Muslims, Jews and Christians can celebrate Ramadan, Passover and Easter peacefully,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Despite appeals for restraint, violence has surged since Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque on Wednesday after they said Palestinians barricaded themselves inside. Israel bombarded both Gaza and Lebanon in response to rocket fire by Palestinian militants.

The unrest comes as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramzan, Jewish Passover, and Christian Easter coincide.
By Saturday night, it appeared as if an uneasy calm had been restored, with security forces still braced not just for violence along those borders as well as increased Israeli-Palestinian violence, reported Jerusalem Post.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant briefed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the security situation on Saturday night, detailing efforts to “thwart terrorism and respond effectively to any threat toward Israeli citizens and troops,” his office said.

“Gallant also raised the defence establishment’s efforts to enable freedom of prayer at the Temple Mount, which is hijacked by groups of extreme rioters,” his office added

President Isaac Herzog said Israel was “firmly committed to preserving the status quo at the holy sites in general and on the Temple Mount in particular” in a telephonic conversation he had with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Netanyahu said last week claimed Iran is behind the latest spiral in violence in Israel, a point Herzog underscored in his conversation with Erdogan.

“Iran, by means of its proxies, including Hamas, is leading a campaign on several fronts with the aim of undermining regional stability and is using terrorism based on religious incitement, focusing on the situation in Jerusalem,” Herzog said.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati made a statement criticising any military activities from its territory that threatened stability, but Hezbollah did not respond immediately, according to the Jerusalem Post.