July 28th 2024.
After a deadly rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children, tensions are rising as Israel vows to make Hezbollah "pay the price." The Lebanese militant group, however, denies any involvement in the attack, which has been deemed the deadliest on Israeli-controlled territory since October 7.
In response to the attack, Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes deep inside Lebanese territory and along the border. It is unclear if there were any casualties from these strikes. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visited the town of Majdal Shams, near the Syrian and Lebanese borders, and promised a heavy response to Hezbollah's actions. "They will pay the price," he declared, adding, "We will hit the enemy hard."
The rocket attack on Saturday involved approximately 30 projectiles crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office reported 12 children killed and 44 injured. The victims were playing on a soccer field, according to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and residents who spoke to CNN. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also backed Israel's assessment, saying that "every indication" suggests the attack was carried out by Hezbollah.
The Golan Heights, an area seized by Israel from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981, is home to about 20,000 Druze Arabs and 25,000 Israeli Jewish settlers. Considered occupied territory under international law, most Druze in the region identify as Syrian and have refused offers of Israeli citizenship. The Regional Council of Majdal Shams confirmed that the 12 children killed did not hold Israeli citizenship.
On Sunday, hundreds of mourners gathered for a funeral procession to honor the victims of the attack. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid spoke at the funeral, emphasizing that the children who died "could have been any of our children" and are "our children" in a broader sense. However, tensions flared when far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich attended the event and was eventually escorted away by security amid protests from residents.
The ongoing exchange of rocket fire between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of a wider war. These fears have been sparked by the volatile situation in the Middle East, with concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could spread to other fronts. While Hezbollah has taken responsibility for the rocket attack on the Golan Heights, they deny any involvement in the attack on Majdal Shams and reject all claims of responsibility.
The recent rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has caused tension between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel vowing to make the militant group "pay the price." The attack, which killed 12 children and injured 44 people, has once again raised fears of an all-out war in the region.
Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the attack, stating that they "firmly deny" any responsibility. However, Israeli warplanes have conducted airstrikes in response, targeting Hezbollah locations inside Lebanon and along the border. It is unclear if there were any casualties from these strikes.
During a visit to the town of Majdal Shams, near the Syrian and Lebanese borders, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant promised a strong retaliation for the attack. "Hezbollah is responsible for this and they will pay the price," Gallant declared. He also added, "We will hit the enemy hard."
The attack on Saturday involved approximately 30 projectiles being launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory, prompting a swift response from Israel's military, who blamed the Iran-backed militant group for the attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office reported that the strike killed 12 children and injured 44 people.
Among the victims were children who were playing on a soccer field, according to a list from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and eyewitnesses who spoke with CNN. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also supported Israel's claim, stating that "every indication" points to the attack being carried out by Hezbollah.
The Golan Heights is home to about 20,000 Druze Arabs, an area that was seized by Israel from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981. However, it is still considered occupied territory under international law and UN Security Council resolutions. The area is also home to around 25,000 Israeli Jewish settlers.
Most of the Druze in the Golan Heights identify as Syrian and have rejected offers of Israeli citizenship. The Regional Council of Majdal Shams has confirmed that none of the 12 children killed in the attack held Israeli citizenship.
The funeral procession for the victims of the attack was attended by hundreds of mourners, with people dressed in black and singing as the white coffins were carried to a funeral home. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid spoke at the funeral, expressing his condolences and stating that "the children who died on that football field could have been any of our children. Therefore, they are indeed the children of each of us. These are our children."
However, not all attendees were in agreement, as some residents berated Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich, who was present at the event. They crowded around him, demanding that he leave, and he was eventually escorted away by security.
The ongoing exchanges of rocket fire between Israel and Hezbollah have raised concerns of a wider war in the region. These tensions have also sparked fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could escalate into a multi-front war in the Middle East.
While Hezbollah has admitted to launching the attack on the Golan Heights, they have denied any responsibility for the strike on Majdal Shams. In a statement, they stated that they have "no connection to the incident whatsoever" and firmly reject any false claims.
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