REFUGEES GET AID, BUT NOT ENTRY INTO GOLAN

Israel’s military has delivered aid to thousands of Syrian refugees but says it will not allow them to cross into the Golan Heights. Around 120,000 people have left their homes in Deraa, southwest Syria, in the last 10 days as regime forces advance. Many are heading toward the borders of Jordan and Israeli-controlled Golan.

Israel has never accepted refugees since the fighting began in Syria in 2011, but has provided aid to civilians near its borders.

Intense fighting has put a fresh focus on Israel’s policy toward Syrian refugees, some of whom are camping a few hundred metres from Israeli military positions.

Israeli Defence Forces said they delivered 13 tonnes of food, three pallets of medical equipment and medicine and 30 tonnes of clothing to the refugees on Thursday.