Israel has downplayed the possibility of escalation following its air strikes on Syrian targets over the weekend.

Yair Golan, head of the IDF northern command, told Israeli reporters: "It is always right to prepare and train, but there are no winds of war.”

On Sunday, Israel carried out an air strike on a military research centre in Jamraya near Damascus. This followed a hit on Friday on a shipment of strategic missiles.

Although Israel has not officially admitted to carrying out the operation, anonymous intelligence sources told journalists that both strikes targeted Fateh-100 missile shipments sent from Iran for Hizbollah in Lebanon.

Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Danny Danon said: "The state of Israel is protecting its interests and will continue doing so. I am not confirming or denying the reports."