Archive photo of IDF reconnaissance in Golan Heights
Photo: Avihu Shapira
IDF kills two suspects attempting to sabotage border
Two men identified by reconnaissance force crossing the border in Golan Heights killed by IDF fire.
Two suspects, at least one identified as armed, were killed Friday night near the security barrier in the Golan Heights. The IDF said they were attempting to sabotage the operational infrastructure on the border: "In response, the IDF attacked the suspects."
The suspects were identified crossing the border around 10:30 pm by a reconnaissance force of the Golani division. Relying on lessons learned in recent incidents – and more stringent rules of engagement – an arrest procedure was not attempted.
The IDF used precision fire to hit the two suspects.
Recent weeks have seen a number of incidents on Israel's borders in the north, both with Lebanon and Syria.
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- Explosive device targets IDF force on Lebanon border
Two weeks ago, in the worst of the incidents, two officers and two paratroopers were injured, one in serious condition, from an improvised explosive device placed on Israeli territory – beyond the Golan Heights security barrier.
The IDF retaliated with artillery fire and precision missiles on Syrian army bases, as the Assad regime was held responsible for the act of terrorism.
Several days before the incident, a powerful explosive detonated near an IDF force near the Shebaa Farms, while the soldiers were on a routine patrol of the area. The force, which included a number of reconnaissance vehicles, was rocked by the explosive, though fortunately no one was hurt.
The jeep was damaged and three soldiers were evacuated to Ziv Medical Center in Safed to rule out any blast injuries. The IDF explored the possibility the incident was a kidnapping attempt, but the theory was rejected.
