JERUSALEM—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ‘’we dealt severe blows to the Iranian and Syrian forces’’, one day after a major military confrontation between Israel, Syria and Iran which culminated in the first battle loss of an Israeli fighter jet in 35 years.
‘’We made it unequivocally clear to everyone that our rules of action have not changed one bit; we will continue to strike at every attempt to strike at us. This has been our policy and it will remain our policy,’’ he said .
He added : ‘’I would also like to say that I am proud of you, the citizens of Israel. Yesterday we again proved that in moments of crisis we know how to come together and rebuff our enemies and guard our country.”
The Israeli F-16 fighter jet crashed after coming under fire from Syrian air defenses during attacks against “Iranian targets” in the war-torn country, n Israeli military spokesman said. The two pilots ejected. One was seriously injured and the second was lightly injured.
In the incident, the IDF shot down an Iranian drone and attacked its launch and command center inside Syria.
The Israel Defense Forces is reportedly reinforcing missile defense systems along the border with Syria following the military confrontation.
Eye witnesses report seeing multiple missile defense batteries making their way north. The army refused to comment on reports.