Israeli army hits Syrian regime post after Golan mortar fire

Israeli warplanes hit a Syrian regime post on Friday hours after a mortar shell hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel's army said.

It was the fourth such exchange in a week as Syrian regime forces, backed by Hizballah fighters, battle opposition forces on the other side of the strategic plateau.

"In response to the projectile launched earlier today at Israel from Syria, an Israel Air Force aircraft targeted the Syrian army position that fired the mortar," the Israeli statement said.

"The errant projectile was a result of internal fighting in Syria." 

Israel has struck three Syrian regime positions this week, with no fatalities reported.

The latest Israeli attack came on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited the Golan Heights to mark the 40th anniversary of the capture and illegal annexation of the territories by Israeli forces.

"We will respond to every firing," Netanyahu said during a speech.

"Whoever attacks us, we will attack him. This is our policy and we will continue with it."

Fighting has intensified this week between pro-Damascus militias and the opposition Jaish al-Mohammed coalition, which includes fighters from the Free Syrian Army and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Syrian regime war planes bombed two opposition villages in Quneitra on Wednesday, killing at least one child, after losing territory to the rebel alliance.

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.

Around 510 square kilometres of the Golan are under Syrian control.