Israel downs Iranian drone, strikes Syria

Israeli forces attack Syrian, Iranian targets in fresh strike
Rocket sirens sound throughout northern areas of Israel

An Israeli F-16 was downed on Saturday morning after Israel reportedly intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria into Israeli territory, according to different international media reports.
In a statement, the Israeli Army claimed that anti-aircraft missiles from Syrian territory targeted the jet after Israel responded to the ‘infiltration’ of the drone with a strike in Syria. The two F-16 pilots ejected as the plane went down in northern Israel.
Following the downing of the jet, Israel responded with a fresh large-scale strike in Syria. On Saturday, the military alliance, which includes Iran and Hezbollah, warned Israel that any new act of what it called terrorism would be met with a severe and serious response.
Early on Saturday, an Iranian drone was intercepted in Israeli airspace. Israeli Forces spokesman Brig-General Ronen Manelis said that Israel identified an Iranian drone which took off from Syrian territory. The drone was identified by IAF systems and was downed by an IAF helicopter, he said.
He also said that the Iranian drone fell inside the Israeli territory and was in their possession. In response, the Israeli military struck targets in Syria. Manelis said that the targets included the trailer from which the Iranians launched the drone. “This was a surgical action deep in Syria, target destroyed,” he said.
He also confirmed that sirens were activated but said civilians were not in danger. “This is a serious Iranian attack on Israeli territory,” the spokesman said. “Iran is dragging the region into a situation in which it doesn’t know how it will end. We are prepared for a variety of incidents…whoever is responsible for this incident is the one who will pay the price.”
Rocket sirens sounded for a second time following the downing of the jet. The Syrian state TV reported explosions in the Damascus area, calling them new Israeli aggression. Shortly afterwards, the Israeli military said it has carried out a fresh ‘large-scale strike’ against 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria.
Landings and departures were temporarily halted at Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, located near the central city of Tel Aviv. An Israeli military spokesman said that Syria and Iran were ‘playing with fire’ and would pay a heavy price. In Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has instructed cabinet ministers not to speak publicly about the events on the northern border.
Syrian television claimed that more than one Israeli aircraft was hit by Syria’s defence systems. Due to Syrian anti-aircraft fire, says the army, rocket sirens sounded in multiple areas of northern Israel, first in the northern Israeli town of Beit She’an and later in the surrounding areas and Golan Heights.