Tel aviv: Four Israeli soldiers were reported to have sustained injuries following an explosion of munitions during a military operation in southern Syria. The Israeli army communicated that the soldiers were injured lightly and have been transported to a hospital for treatment.

According to Anadolu Agency, the explosion occurred during Israeli Defense Forces’ activity in the region, specifically in the occupied Mount Hermon area, which is part of the Golan Heights. The local publication Maariv indicated that the incident was the result of a grenade explosion. The grenade was reportedly being handled by the soldiers during their mission when it detonated, leading to their injuries.

The Golan Heights has been under Israeli control since 1967, and following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israel expanded its control by seizing the Syrian buffer zone. The strategic location of Jabal al-Sheikh, near the border with Syria and Lebanon, offers a vantage point overlooking Israel.

Despite the formation of a new Syrian administration under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Israeli military actions, including airstrikes in Syrian territory, have persisted. These strikes have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties and targeted Syrian military infrastructure.

The political landscape in Syria underwent significant changes when Assad fled to Russia in December 2024, concluding his nearly 25-year rule and ending the Baath Party’s longstanding governance since 1963. This led to the establishment of a transitional administration under Sharaa at the start of the following year.