Israel warns Syria it will ‘suffer the consequences’ after rocket attack

Four rockets struck the northern region of Galilee and the occupied Golan on Thursday afternoon. They were fired from the Syrian-held part of the Golan, the Isralei military and security sources said.

Israeli soldiers inspect a fire near Kfar Sold in the north of Israel after rockets were fired from the Syrian-held part of the Golan Heights on August 20, 2015. EPA/Ancho Gosh/ Jini Israel Out

JERUSALEM // The Israeli army has warned the Syrian government that it will “suffer the consequences” after four rockets struck the north of the Jewish state and the occupied Golan on Thursday afternoon.

“This was the work of [Palestinian militant group] Islamic Jihad, an organisation financed and working for Iran, and we consider the Syrian government responsible for the firing and it will suffer the consequences,” the army said.

The rockets were fired from the Syrian-held part of the Golan and caused fires but no injuries, the Israeli military and security sources said.

They struck the Galilee region of northern Israel, where sirens wailed in warning of the incoming attack.

Israeli media said the rockets landed in an open field and broadcast footage showing small fires.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Moshe Yaalon visited northern Israel on Tuesday to meet military officials.

The Jewish state has avoided taking sides in the civil war in neighbouring Syria, though it has responded occasionally to attacks.

It says that some of the attacks have been accidental spillover from the Syrian conflict while others have been intentionally aimed at Israeli civilians and soldiers.

It has always held Syria responsible for any cross-border fire.

* Agence France-Presse