Jerusalem ( CNN ) The Israeli military conducted airstrikes Sunday night in the area between Israel and Syria , targeting a group of militants allegedly trying to plant a bomb on the Israeli border . The Israel Defense Forces said the airstrikes were carried out in the occupied Golan Heights against four militants who crossed into the area from Syria . `` A group of armed terrorists approached the border with an explosive device , which was intended to be detonated against IDF forces , '' the Israeli military said . The airstrikes prevented the bombing , the military said . Three of the alleged attackers were killed , Israeli media reported , citing IDF sources . It was not immediately known to what militant group the men belonged . The Golan is regarded internationally as occupied territory despite Israeli governmental control . It is home to 41,000 residents , including Jews , Druze and Alawites . Israel seized the territory from Syria during the 1967 Israel-Arab war , and it was eventually annexed .
The Syriai military says the militants were trying to plant a bomb . The men crossed from Israel , Syria says .