Top Israeli official confirms IDF carried out airstrikes on Syria

A senior Israeli military official confirmed that Israel carried out the airstrikes in Syria that struck Iranian military installations.

“It was the first time we attacked live Iranian targets — both facilities and people,” the unnamed Israeli military source told New York Times columnist Tom Friedman.

Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the airstrikes.

Friedman reported his Sunday column from the Golan Heights on the Israeli border with Syria.

The official referenced the Iranian drone that infiltrated into Israeli airspace in February, which was shot down by Israel and led to an Israeli retaliatory raid. Israel on Friday announced that the drone had been loaded with explosives and was on an attack mission, not a mission for reconnaissance.

“This is the first time we saw Iran do something against Israel — not by proxy,” the senior Israeli military source told Friedman. “This opened a new period.”