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Israel retaliates after rocket from Syria lands in Golan

Israel's army retaliated with artillery fire against two Syrian army positions near the border
A rocket fired from war-torn Syria strayed into the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights on Sunday (AFP)

A rocket fired from war-torn Syria strayed into the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights on Sunday, prompting the Israeli army to respond.

The Israeli military retaliated with artillery fire against two Syrian army positions located near the border, said a military spokeswoman.

In a statement, Israel's military said they will "hold the Syrian military responsible for all events stemming from its territory and will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israel's sovereignty and the safety of its residents".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel targeted Syrian army positions in a town in southwest Quneitra province.

At least three or four Israeli strikes hit a regime military position inside Saryeh, near the regime's administrative capital of Baath City, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

They were fired from inside the occupied Golan Heights, he said, but did not have details on any casualties.

On Saturday, a similar incident occurred, with a rocket slamming into the Israeli-held part of the plateau also without causing injuries or damage.

Since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, tensions have risen in the Golan Heights, with a growing number of mostly stray rockets and mortar rounds hitting the Israeli side, prompting an occasional armed response.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres of the heights in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

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