"A few minutes ago, (Israeli aircraft)... targeted the Syrian Aerial Defence System and Iranian targets in Syria," a military statement said.

"Twelve targets, including three aerial defence batteries and four Iranian targets that are part of Iran's military establishment in Syria were attacked."

It added that "during the attack, anti-aircraft missiles were fired towards Israel, triggering alarms that were heard in northern Israel."

Earlier Saturday, an Israeli fighter jet crashed after coming under fire from Syrian air defences during attacks against "Iranian targets" in the war-torn country, an Israeli military spokesman said.

The Israeli pilots of the crashed F16 were reported alive, though one was severely wounded.

Israel's initial raid came after it intercepted what it said was an Iranian drone entering its airspace from Syria.

The confrontation was the most serious between arch foes Israel and Iran since the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011.