Tensions flared Tuesday night, June 3, in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights after two rockets launched from Syria’s Daraa province landed in uninhabited areas, prompting Israeli artillery and airstrikes across southern Syria. The exchange marked the first cross-border attack since Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa took power in December following the fall of the Assad regime.
Israeli Response Escalates as Attackers Remain Unknown
The Israeli military confirmed that the rockets struck open terrain without causing casualties. In retaliation, Israeli forces shelled multiple locations including Saham al-Golan, the Yarmouk Basin, and Tal al-Mal, while drones patrolled the skies. By early Wednesday morning, airstrikes followed, targeting alleged weapons depots in Daraa and Quneitra.
A group calling itself the Martyr Muhammad al-Deif Brigades claimed responsibility for the rocket attack. The claim, referencing Hamas’ late military commander, could not be independently verified, however Hamas did release a statement disavowing the group and operation. Separately, analyst Charles Lister said another group, Kataib Awli al-Bass—linked to Iran and newly emerged in February—also claimed responsibility.
Conflicting Narratives on Responsibility
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz placed full blame on the Syrian government. “We consider the president of Syria directly responsible for any threat and fire toward the State of Israel,” Katz said, warning of a forthcoming “full response.”
The Syrian Foreign Ministry rejected Israel’s accusations, declaring “the accuracy of the circulating news about shelling towards the Israeli side has not yet been verified.” The ministry emphasized that “Syria has not and will not pose a threat to any party in the region,” and called the Israeli strikes a “flagrant violation of sovereignty.”
Lister challenged the Israeli government’s stance. “You can’t hold Ahmad al-Sharaa ‘personally responsible’ for the development of new security challenges while simultaneously seeking to weaken Syria and demand its security forces vacate the south entirely,” he said in a post on X.
US Lawmaker Supports Syrian Government Access
US Congressman Joe Wilson, a Republican and vocal supporter of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, weighed in on the developments. “In order for the new Syrian government to fulfill its commitments to President Trump, the (Syrian) Ministry of Defense must be able to operate in all of Syria,” Wilson said. “Syrian officials have clearly stated that Syria will not pose a threat to Israel. Restriction of access to security forces in certain areas will be exploited.”
Lister noted that while the attack marks a rare instance of cross-border fire since Assad’s fall, Israeli military activity in Syria has intensified. “In the same seven months, Israel has conducted: 818 air and artillery strikes in Syria, 212 ground incursions, and occupied an additional 220 square kilometers of territory,” he said.
As accusations continue to fly, both Damascus and Tel Aviv remain on edge. Syrian officials have called on the international community to halt what they describe as Israeli aggression, while Israel insists it will not tolerate “threats” from across its northern frontier.
