The Israeli military has shot down an Iranian drone that infiltrated the country and has struck Iranian targets in Syria that launched it, in what the military called a “severe and irregular violation of Israeli sovereignty”.

The military said its planes faced heavy anti-aircraft counter fire from Syria that forced Israeli pilots to abandon an F-16 jet that crashed in northern Israel. It said the pilots were injured and evacuated to a hospital. Sirens sounded in northern Israel as a result of massive Syrian fire, as reported by ABC news.

Explosions could be heard in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley region near the Syrian border. Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said Iran was “responsible for this severe violation of Israeli sovereignty”. The military said it was “monitoring events and is fully prepared for further action”.

Syrian state TV quoted a military official saying Syrian air defences hit more than one Israeli plane. The official said the Israeli raids hit a base in the country’s central area, and called it a “new aggression”.

Later, Syria state TV said its air defences responded to new Israeli raids near the capital Damascus. Israel has long complained about the involvement of archenemy Iran, and Iranian proxy Hezbollah, in the Syria war.

The Shiite allies have sent forces to back Syrian President Bashar Assad, who appears headed toward victory after years of fighting. Israel has said it will not accept a permanent military presence by Iran and its Shiite allies in Syria, especially near the Israeli border.