Israel says armed Syrians approach Golan Heights, tourist site closed

JERUSALEM – The Israeli military says dozens of armed men have gathered on the Syrian side of the frontier in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights. Authorities closed a tourist site there in response.

An Israeli spokesman said it was unclear what the armed Syrians were doing. He said there was no violence, and a tour group left Mount Hermon without incident. The army was watching the area. He spoke on condition of anonymity under military rules.

Israelis are concerned that fighting from Syria's civil war could spill across the border. Last month, mortar shells exploded in Israeli-controlled territory. Nobody was hurt. Israel said the shells were misfired.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. It later annexed the strategic territory in a move that is not recognized internationally.