The relatively quiet Syrian border, watched by United Nations observers at posts on the Israeli side, was today the scene of two Syrian gunfire attacks. No casualties were reported.
The Syrians opened heavy fire at noon on an Israeli patrol east of Lake Huleh near the Ashurah bridge and the Israelis returned the fire. Later in the day, a police unit was under Syrian gunfire for more than an hour while on a Lake Huleh patrol.
Israeli sources previously had reported that steps to prevent incursions by Syrian peasants in the Tel Azaziat area were taken after an initial test of the actions, the nature of which was not disclosed, had proved effective in another part of the area.
These sources said that Syrian soldiers had been observed encouraging the peasants to go into Israeli territory where they pick melons and vegetables. The UN posts have proved unhelpful because the observers cannot compel the Syrians to halt incursions.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
