Syria accuses Israel of killing government official near Golan border

Midhat al-Saleh, the head of Syria’s Golan Affairs Office, was gunned down outside his home, according to Syrian media. The former MP reportedly played a key role in helping Hezbollah entrench its presence in the Syrian Golan.

By Neta Bar and Daniel Siryoti

(October 17, 2021 / Israel Hayom and JNS staff) Syria on Sunday accused Israel of killing a high-ranking government official outside his home near the Israel-Syria border.

Midhat al-Saleh, 54, was the head of the Syrian government’s Golan Affairs Office and a former lawmaker. He was shot outside his home in the village of Ain Eltineh, opposite the Druze town of Majdal Shams, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Saleh, who was born in Majdal Shams, served 12 years in an Israeli prison on security-related charges, and was released in 1997. The following year, he traveled to Syria, and in 2000 joined the Syrian parliament.

Saleh was a key figure in helping Hezbollah entrench its presence in the area, Israeli media reported, citing unnamed intelligence officials.

The Syrian government denounced the killing, calling it a “cowardly criminal act,” according to SANA.

The Israeli military did not comment on the report.

This is an edited version of an article that first appeared in Israel Hayom.