Israel Intercepts Four Rockets From Syria; Explosions Heard in Damascus

Four rockets fired from Syria were intercepted over the Golan Heights by the Iron Dome missile defense system, the Israeli military said early Tuesday. According to sources in Israel's defense establishment, the rockets were fired following a command from Iran.

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– Haaretz Weekly Ep. 49

Haaretz Weekly Ep. 49Haaretz

Shortly thereafter, explosions were heard in Damascus, a week after another Israeli strike targeted a top Palestinian militant in the Syrian capital.

Later Tuesday morning, Syria's Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel fired five missiles toward targets in southern Damascus. The report said that Syrian air defenses had intercepted some of the missiles, while others did manage to strike some targets. There were no reports of casualties or damage.

The area targeted, the Observatory for Human Rights noted, is populated by Hezbollah and pro-Iran militiamen. 

>> Read more: Has Netanyahu’s Iran strategy blown up in his face? | Analysis

The military said that there no damage was caused to Israeli communities after rocket sirens awoke residents there early in the morning. There was no immediate official comment from Syria, but the SANA state news agency reported explosions were heard near Damascus International Airport. It was unclear how reliable the reports were and whether Israel indeed struck in that area.

Following the overnight developments, freshly-appointed Defense Minister Naftali Bennett announced that he will hold a security consultation with the Israeli military's chief of staff, Aviv Kochavi, as well as with other top army brass at the Israel Defense Forces' headquarters in Tel Aviv.