Tel Aviv, Feb. 11 (TNS): Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will defend itself “against any attack” after carrying out what appear to be its largest strikes on sites in Syria in decades.
Israel launched raids against Iranian targets after saying it had intercepted an Iranian drone crossing the Syria-Israel border.
Iran denies the allegation.
During the offensive an Israeli F-16 fighter jet was shot down by Syria air defences, crashing in northern Israel.
Its pilots ejected from the plane and were taken to hospital.
It is believed to be the first time Israel has lost a jet in combat since 2006.
Mr Netanyahu warned that Israel’s policy to defend itself against “any attempt to harm our sovereignty” was “absolutely clear”.
“Iran brazenly violated Israel’s sovereignty,” he said, adding: “They dispatched an Iranian drone from Syrian territory into Israel… Israel holds Iran and its Syrian hosts responsible.”
