The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that rocket sirens in the Negev region of southern Israel yesterday were triggered by an errant Syrian anti-aircraft missile that had been fired at an Israeli jet during an airstrike on targets in Syria.
Pieces of the Syrian SA-5 surface-to-air missile reportedly landed 30 kilometres from the Dimona nuclear reactor, though the IDF Spokesperson said the military did not believe this was a deliberate attack on Israel or its nuclear facility.
Loud explosions that “shook the houses” were reported throughout the country, including central Israel and Jerusalem, though there were no reports of injuries or damage.
The IDF failed to intercept the missile after activating its air defence systems. The military is now investigating why the interception was unsuccessful.
According to Syrian and Israeli reports, IDF jets conducted airstrikes on targets in the Syrian-controlled Golan Heights before striking Syrian air defence batteries near Damascus in response to the firing of the SA-5 towards Israeli jets.
Four Syrian soldiers were injured in the strike.
