Two Israeli soldiers killed in Golan Heights explosion

Two Israeli soldiers killed in Golan Heights explosion
The Israeli military says two soldiers have been killed after a grenade one of the troops was holding exploded in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
1 min read
18 July, 2016
The explosion appears to be a 'friendly fire' incident [AFP]
The Israeli military says two soldiers have been killed after a grenade one of the troops was holding exploded.

The military says three other soldiers were injured in Sunday's incident, which took place in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. They were evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

The military identified the deceased soldiers as Sgt. Shlomo Rindenow, 20, a New Jersey native, and Staff Sgt. Husam Tapash, 24.

The military says other details surrounding the incident are being investigated.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

In a separate incident, the Israeli army tried to shoot down a drone from Syria, using patriot missiles.

The plane was able to return to Syria after the Israeli Patriot missiles failed to shoot it down.

Hizballah-affiliated Lebanese writer Anis al-Naqqash claimed on Twitter on Sunday that the drone had been sent by the Lebanese militant group to photograph Israeli army maneuvers in the Golan, according to Israeli media.