Israeli troops fired artillery and mortar shells toward Syria on Tuesday after a number of shells launched from its northern neighbour landed in open areas on Israeli territory, Israel’s military said, writes Reuters.

A source in southern Syria said a Palestinian faction had fired three rockets toward Israel.

The development raises fears the violence could lead to a wider war, as Israel trades cross-border salvoes with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and battles Hamas militants in Gaza.

The military said its soldiers had fired “toward the origin of the launching in Syria”. It did not provide details.

There were no reports of damage or injuries.