Syrian killed by Israeli fire in Golan Heights

JERUSALEM

Israeli forces shot dead a Syrian national and injured another for allegedly approaching a border fence, according to the military on Sunday.

In a statement, the army said soldiers monitoring surveillance cameras spotted the two men crossing the so-called Alpha Line --a UN buffer zone separating Israel from Syria -- and approaching the security fence in the occupied Golan Heights.

“Army soldiers were dispatched to the scene and opened fire in accordance with standard operating procedures,” it added.

No injuries were reported among Israeli soldiers.

There was no comment from Syrian regime authorities on the incident.

Israel has occupied most of the Syrian Golan Heights since the 1967 Middle East War.

On March 25, 2019, the former US administration of Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar