View of Syria from Israeli territory in the Golan Heights. Photo: wiki commons.

As the battle for control of Syria rages on between President Bashar al-Assad and rebel groups opposing his family’s four-decades rule, Israelis are flocking to the Golan Heights in northern Israel, where they can see the explosions and smoke coming from inside Syria.

According to a report in Israel’s Ma’ariv newspaper, Israelis have been approaching the border between Syria and Israel with binoculars and cameras to catch a glimpse of the violence that is threatening to topple yet another government inside the Middle East.

Tour guides in northern Israel have noted an increase in visitors recently, according to Ma’ariv, and Israeli police in the area are working to prevent people from going too close to the border.

On Monday, a Syrian mortar shell reportedly landed near the border with Israel, and Israeli leaders have publicly stated in recent days that they intend to take action in Syria should Assad’s vast stockpile of chemical weaponry fall to terrorist groups such as Hezbollah.

“I know it’s dangerous and the border is becoming explosive, but it is still intriguing,” a Tel-Aviv resident named Joe told Ma’ariv.