MAJDAL SHAMS, Golan Heights: Israeli troops Sunday opened fire as protesters from Syria stormed a ceasefire line in the occupied Golan Heights, with Damascus saying 23 people were killed. Hundreds of protesters rushed the ceasefire line, cutting through barbed wire as they tried to enter the Golan Heights in a repeat of demonstrations last month that saw thousands mass along Israel's north. Similar protests were held in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. In Majdal Shams, on the occupied Golan, Israeli troops opened fire as demonstrators sought to push through the mined ceasefire line, which had been reinforced with several rows of barbed wire blocking access to a fence. Syrian state media reported that 23 people were killed, including a woman and child, and 350 were wounded. The Israeli military said it was aware of 12 casualties. The United States called for calm. “We are deeply troubled by events that took place earlier today in the Golan Heights resulting in injuries and the loss of life,” the State Department said in a statement. “We call for all sides to exercise restraint. Provocative actions like this should be avoided.” The US statement emphasized that “Israel, like any sovereign nation, has a right to defend itself.” The Israeli military also said that one person was wounded when at least one landmine exploded on Syria's side of the border. – Agence France
