Israeli fighter jets clashed with Assad's forces over Syria

Several anti-aircraft missiles were fired at Israeli military aircraft during an operation over Syria, in the largest clash to date between Israel and the forces of Syrian President Assad since the beginning of the civil war, writes Patria.

Although no aircraft were hit, an Israeli defensive missile system intercepted one of the missiles north of Jerusalem, writes the Guardian.

The fact that this was an extremely unusual incident is also indicated by the Israeli military breaking its silence on flights over Syria and issuing a statement admitting that an aircraft was targeted by missiles during an operation in the Syrian sky.

- On the night of March 17, aircraft of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) targeted several targets in Syria, the statement reads. "Several anti-aircraft missiles were fired from Syria, and the IDF's air defense system intercepted one of those missiles. The safety of Israeli civilians and the IAF was not compromised at any time."

The statement confirmed what has long been an "open secret": that Israeli aircraft target arms convoys intended for the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is fighting on the side of Assad's regime.

Israel has largely avoided being drawn into the war in Syria, however, it has carried out attacks on depots and convoys associated with the transport of weapons acquired by Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Concern is growing in Israeli security circles that the war in Syria could end in favor of Assad's regime, as they see it as an advantage for Hezbollah in Lebanon, writes the BBC.