© AFP 2021 / JACK GUEZ
Rocket sirens were activated in Abu Karinat, an Israeli village located in the Negev desert, early Thursday after a surface-to-air missile was launched from Syrian territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have revealed.
Incidentally, the sirens sounded off in an area near Dimona, where Israel's Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center is situated.
The IDF told Sputnik that the Nuclear Research Center had not been damaged by the missile attack.
"There are no reports about any damage or injured people," the IDF press service said.
Initial reports indicated that sirens sounded off as local residents voiced concerns on social media regarding a loud explosion and reports of homes shaking. Netizens had also reported feeling blasts in Jerusalem and across central Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces initially tweeted that the agency was investigating the development before announcing that the blast was the result of a Syria-launched missile that had fallen in the Negev region.
The IDF explained in a statement that Israeli forces responded to the airstrike by returning fire with a missile of its own. The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency subsequently reported that Syrian air defense systems had been activated to repel "Israeli aggression."
Although the IDF reported that there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities within the Israeli state, the same could not be said for Syrian forces. According to the Syrian Defense Ministry, at least four service members were injured as a result of Israel's strike.
The Israeli Army Radio has stated the blast came about after a Syrian anti-aircraft missile had overflown its target.
The incident comes on the heels of a recent escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, which has vowed to retaliate after Tehran's Natanz nuclear facility came under an attack. Iranian officials have labeled the setback an example of "nuclear terrorism."
1)Missile flew the entire length of Israel and was not touched.
2)The Dimona area had it's AD beefed up recently after Natanz to reassure Israeli's that it was completely safe from attack, FAIL.
3) This explosion was heard from the south of Israel to the farthest north of Israel. Israeli's (who are not strangers to explosions) said this was the loudest explosion they ever heard. Very damn strange if this was a SAM5 (400Lb warhead). Buildings shook many, many miles away as well.
4)Sirens only sounded in the Dimona area, although the missile came down through the entire length of the country.
5)Israeli's received texts only AFTER the missile exploded. The usual is to alert before.
6)Gantz says Arrow system failed. He forgets to mention that there is a US base there as well, and it's newest version Patriots were fired up. None of Israel's systems were effective, including Iron Dome and Davids Sling...and US Patriots.
6)Where are the pics showing no damage, or at least the crater? Something they don't want seen? Like, the size of the crater?
7)This 'SAM5" flew it's maximum range (and further) then accidentally exploded near their reactor. Really? Israel must just have the worst of luck, especially in light of the factory explosion the other day.
8) Israeli's believe all this. In fact, the majority on Haaretz/ToI want Syria attacked over this.
The fact that this was the result of Israeli aggression, that they're AD is just as good as KSA's and what the result would have been if it were 10, 20 ,30...missiles, does not seem to compute at all. It's also of note that other sources are saying that it might have been Tashrin or Fatah110 MRBMs. They ARE capable of unleashing a huge explosion. A SAM5? Not so much...at all.