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A day after three Syrian tanks entered the demilitarized zone on the Golan Heights to attack Syrian rebels, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz visited the border region on Sunday, and warned army forces that "the Syrian affair could turn into our affair." Gantz instructed the IDF to be on alert in the area, and to prevent any spillover of the Syrian conflict into Israeli territory.
The Syrian tanks that entered the demilitarized zone on Saturday have still not left the area.
The IDF has called on the United Nations\’ Disengagement Force on the Golan Heights to oversee the withdrawal of the tanks.
The vehicles entered Beit Ajam, a few kilometers from an IDF position on the border. Earlier on Saturday, local residents near the Syrian border reported hearing heavy exchanges of fire between the Syrian army and rebels.
The chief of staff toured the border with the IDF\’s Division 36, which has command of the Golan Heights, and heard how IDF soldiers can hear tank fire and automatic weapons fire form the Syrian side of the border, as well as shouts of "Allahu Akbar."
"Division 36 is ready for any moment in which the shooting will change direction and will be turned on us," IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai, who accompanied Gantz, said.
Israel lodged a complaint with the United Nations over the ceasefire violation. The defense establishment has concluded, however, that the tank movement is linked to the Syrian civil war and not intended as an act of aggression against Israel.