There is growing instability on the Syrian side of the armistice line on the Golan Heights, Israeli chief of staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz warned members of parliament today.

"The incidents have not reached the level of terror activity, but could get there," he said in remarks quoted by a spokesman.

A senior military official in Israel's northern command told the AFP news agency three weeks ago that he was concerned the Golan Heights area could be "taken over by groups like Al-Qaeda" if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad falls.

Though there have been car bombings and other attacks on civilians in Syria that are similar to Al-Qaeda attacks, no government has yet publicly provided evidence that the group is operating in Syria.