Israel to immediately respond to Syria gunfire – defense minister

A picture taken from the Israeli side of the occupied Golan Heights shows smoke after shells allegedly exploded in the Syrian village of Hadar, close to the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria on March 20 , 2013. (AFP Photo/Jalaa Marey)

Israel will “immediately” respond to all Syrian gunfire on the border of Israeli occupied Golan Heights, stated new Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon. The statement comes after Syria and Israel exchanged gunfire for the past two days.

"Every violation of Israeli sovereignty and shooting from the Syrian side will immediately be answered by silencing the source of fire," AFP quoted him as saying after Israeli troops opened fire towards a Syrian military post.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired a Tamuz anti-tank guided missile into Syrian territory after Syrian troops opened fire for the second time in twelve hours. 

Reportedly, the gunfire is continuing.

At least two Syrian soldiers were wounded with no reported casualties on the Israeli side. 

The tensions along the border began on Saturday when a round of gunfire from the Syrian side hit an IDF jeep during an evening patrol in the Golan Heights. No one was injured in the incident.

It remains unclear whether the fire was aimed at the Israeli vehicle or was the result of indiscriminate fighting between rebels and government forces.

Israel is concerned over the tense situation at the Golan Heights border and fears a spillover of violence, as Syrian rebels have been making advances to capture territory from government forces.