IDF: Terrorists detonating explosive device caused blast that damaged army vehicle on Syria border

Blast that damaged IDF vehicle patrolling on Israeli side of border on Friday was set off by terrorists in Syrian territory, army says after investigation; no organization claims responsibility for attack.

An initial IDF investigation into Friday's blast that damaged a military vehicle in the northern Golan Heights found that an explosive device planted on the Syrian side of the border had been detonated by terrorists.

The device targeted an IDF patrol as it passed on the Israeli side of the border, damaging the rear window of the vehicle. There were no injuries in the incident.

No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

On Sunday, a cross-border shooting from Syria on an IDF patrol was described by an army source as a deliberate attack launched by a lone Syrian soldier, and not stay fire.

After identifying the source of the fire and seeing that they were being targeted on purpose, an IDF infantry unit returned fire, striking the attacker's position. It remains unclear if the Syrian shooter was killed or injured in the return fire.

Earlier that day, a Syrian mortar shell crossed into Israel and exploded near the Druse village of Majdal Shams. There were no injuries in the incident, and the IDF did not return fire.

In southern Syria near the border with Israel, rebels and the Syrian army have been clashing on a daily basis in recent days, with rebel forces defending a strip of villages under their control from a regime push to retake them. Some of the border regions are under the control of the Syrian army.

IDF officials report witnessing a basic pattern in which the Syrian army gathers its forces near a village under rebel control, prompting civilians to flee. A battle then ensues, and civilians return to their homes when it ends.

"There have been no strategic changes here," the army source said, adding "This pattern has been repeating itself."

In October, two soldiers were lightly injured in the area by shrapnel from a Syrian mortar. The Syrian artillery post that fired the projectile was destroyed by the IDF soon after.

During the same month, the IDF tested a barrier being built on the border with Syria and found it to be missile proof.  

Earlier this year, the army fired a Tamuz guided surface-to-surface missile at a Syrian army post following two incidents of gunfire directed at Israeli soldiers.