Israel Threatens Syrian President with “Decisive Response” Over Golan Rocket Fire
Yisrael Katz Blames President Ahmad Al-Sharaa After Rockets Allegedly Fired from Syria Toward Occupied Golan Heights.
Watan-On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a direct threat to Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, vowing a “decisive response” after Israel claimed that two rockets were launched from Syria toward the occupied Golan Heights.
According to Hebrew media reports, the rockets were allegedly fired from Daraa in southern Syria, landing in an open area without causing damage. Katz told Yedioth Ahronoth that President Al-Sharaa is:“Directly responsible for any threat or gunfire aimed at Israel.”
He added that the Israeli military will respond firmly to any fire originating from Syria.
As of 20:50 GMT, Syrian authorities had not issued any official response to Katz’s remarks.
Shortly after Israel’s allegations, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that Israeli artillery bombarded the Yarmouk Basin area in western Daraa in retaliation.
Israel’s public broadcaster had earlier confirmed the rocket launches from Daraa but noted that the source of the fire remains unknown.
Rising Hostilities Post-Assad
Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Israel has launched multiple airstrikes in Syria, killing civilians and targeting military sites, vehicles, and munitions.
Israel has occupied most of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and, following Assad’s fall, seized control of the buffer zone, declaring the 1974 disengagement agreement defunct.
Ongoing Indirect Talks
On May 7, President Al-Sharaa revealed that indirect negotiations with Israel were underway via mediators to reduce tensions. He urged Israel to:“Cease its reckless actions and interference in Syrian affairs.”
Israel continues to occupy land in Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon, and refuses to withdraw or recognize an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital within pre-1967 borders.
