Israeli troops fired a missile into Syria yesterday in response to errant mortar shells that have fallen on the Golan Heights - the first time Israel has fired at Syria since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

The errant shells marked the fifth time in two weeks that the fighting in Syria has spilled into Israel. The Israel Defense Forces said the Tamuz missile fired at a Syrian mortar battery was a warning that Israel would not tolerate fire on its territory, even if inadvertent.

In a statement, the IDF said soldiers "fired warning shots toward Syrian areas."

The missile was fired in accordance with a new open-fire policy in the Golan, under which any fire into Israel will provoke an Israeli response, classified as warning fire. The IDF has also told the UN forces responsible for maintaining the cease-fire in the area that they must warn Syrian forces that any more shooting at Israel will trigger an Israeli response.

The Tamuz, an antitank missile with a range of 25 kilometers, has been used by the IDF since the 1980s, but it was only made public last year. The missile's electro-optic sensor lets its operators monitor the target during the projectile's flight and guide it until impact. The weapon was used in both the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead.

The mortars fired from Syria fell mainly near the IDF's Tel Hazaka position, but one fell between homes on Moshav Alonei Habashan.

Avraham Sar-Shalom, a resident of the moshav, said that despite the mortar, the atmosphere was calm.

"When we see and hear what's going on in the southern communities, we realize we're in a totally different situation," he said. "They're suffering direct hits there; there's intent to do harm and there have been injuries."

According to the chairman of the Golan Regional Council, Eli Malka, "I hope they've gotten the right message on the Syrian side and they'll prevent any more fire in Israel's direction."

After the mortar fire, the regional council began checking the area's shelters and told residents to stay near protected spaces.

The IDF believes the errant fire stems from the long battle for the village of Bir Ajam in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan, which the Syrian rebels have captured, according to Syrian reports. The Syrian army is apparently trying to recapture the village. Two weeks ago, Syrian tanks entered Bir Ajam, violating the 1974 cease-fire agreement that calls for the area to remain demilitarized.

Israel has tried to stay out of the 19-month Syrian insurgency, but the errant mortal shells led IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz to remark last week that "this is a Syrian issue that could become our issue."

Over the past few months, the IDF has been working to reinforce the border fence in the Golan Heights, mainly in areas considered especially sensitive. The army worries that terror cells might take position along the Syrian border, where Syrian authority seems to be eroding.

An officer in the area has said the deterioration in Syria is likely to lead to terror efforts, and that more infiltration attempts are being detected. The army has dug a trench along the fence to prevent Syrian vehicles from entering Israel and has put up other obstacles.



Other News:
Okla. GOP seeks to keep 'reddest state' moniker
IDF fires warning missile at Syria for first time since 1973
Storm Sandy won't blow Allianz’s 2012 target off
Battle for votes in Virginia goes door-to-door
Early Returns Show Tight Race in Florida
iPad Mini fits in doctors' pockets, but limits data input
The method of judging the quality of bearings
GOP Faces Obstacles in Regaining Senate Control