An Israeli woman looks out from binoculars at smoke rising in the distance caused by fighting between members of the Syrian army loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad and rebels over the control of the Quneitra border crossing, the only official crossing between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
AFP
Israel closed off the area around Quneitra on the occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday after an officer was wounded by stray fire as Syrian rebels seized control of the crossing.
Rebel fighters, including some from Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, captured the Syrian side of the sole crossing over the armistice line earlier Wednesday in deadly fighting with government troops.
"From what we know, opposition forces overran the Syrian regime forces on the Syrian side of the Quneitra crossing, some of those including the Al-Nusra Front, which ultimately leave the crossing in the opposition forces' hands," Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner told AFP.
He said there had been "extensive fighting" on the Syrian side of the ceasefire line since early Wednesday which had resulted in several instances of "errant fire."
Three mortar rounds had struck the Israeli-occupied side of the plateau as well as gunfire which moderately wounded an officer, he said.
An army spokeswoman had earlier said six mortar rounds struck the area.
In June 2013, there was a similar takeover of the crossing by rebel forces, but the Syrian army managed to regain control.
Lerner said the army had "substantial forces" on the ground and was prepared for any eventuality, with troops sealing off the area as a defensive measure.
"We have declared a closed military zone in the immediate area of the crossing and the roads leading to it. We are prepared for any potential spillover effect into Israel," he said.
