Israel wants to stay out of Syria's civil war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

Israel has conducted at least three air strikes on suspected Syrian depots for weaponry. And Israel's forces have occasionally shelled Syrian positions in response to shooting at the Israeli side of the Golan.

But despite violence eroding security on the Golan Heights border area, Netanyahu said Israel would not get involved in Syria unless it was fired upon.

(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"Only last week we saw the battles that took place close to our border on the Golan. Israel is not getting involved in the civil war in Syria, as long as the fire is not directed at us."

The strategic plateau, most of which is occupied by Israel, saw fierce fighting last week between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels trying to overthrow him.

The area is patrolled by U.N. peacekeepers, but Austria recently said it