Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel struck the rocket launcher in Syria used to shoot two rockets at Israel that landed in the Sea of Galilee.

The area near the launcher also was targeted with artillery equipment on Wednesday night. according to the IDF.

The destroyed rocket launcher and several soldiers killed in the attack were members of ISIS, or the Islamic State, the Russian news agency Sputnik reported. The news agency reported that ISIS was attempting to hit Syrian army positions but accidentally struck Israel with the two rockets that landed in the Sea of Galilee when it was full of swimmers and vacationers.

The Russian Defense Ministry praised Israel for striking the ISIS rocket launchers.

Israel Defense officials believe, however, that the Islamic State, which was under attack from the Syrian army from the north and east, intentionally hit Israel so that it would strike Syria in retaliation, Ynet reported.

“The IDF will act against any attempt to violate the State of Israel’s sovereignty and undermine the security of its citizens,” the IDF said in a statement.

Stray rockets and mortars have landed in the Israeli Golan in the past as a result of fighting in Syria’s on-going civil war. But none have reached as far as the Sea of Galilee.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief

- Alyssa Katz, Editor-in-Chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT