A tragic rocket attack on a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has resulted in the deaths of twelve children and young adults, with dozens more injured, according to Israeli authorities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the rocket, which hit the Druze town of Majdal Shams, was fired by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Hezbollah, stating that the group will "pay a heavy price" for the attack. This incident marks the deadliest loss of life on Israel's northern border since the onset of the conflict with Hamas in October.
The attack occurred on Saturday and has the potential to escalate tensions further between Israel and Hezbollah, who have exchanged fire sporadically since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war. The incident has intensified concerns of a broader conflict.
Hezbollah spokesman Mohamad Afif has rejected the IDF's claims, suggesting that the explosion might have been caused by an Israeli interceptor rocket. The BBC is working to verify these claims, as Hezbollah has previously taken responsibility for other attacks on Israeli military positions.
Israeli authorities have confirmed that the victims were all between the ages of 10 and 20. Verified footage from the scene shows a chaotic aftermath, with people being rushed on stretchers to ambulances amidst the rubble of the football pitch.
Majdal Shams is one of four Druze villages in the Golan Heights, a region with around 25,000 members of the Druze community. The Druze have historically had complex relations with Israel and Syria, with many retaining loyalty to Syria despite Israeli citizenship being offered after the Golan Heights' annexation in 1981.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari accused Hezbollah of "lying and denying responsibility," asserting that the rocket was an Iranian-made Falaq-1, a weapon known to be in Hezbollah's arsenal. He emphasized that Israel is preparing for a potential response.
In response to the attack, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz suggested that the country may be facing an "all-out war." Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the incident as a "terrible and shocking disaster," pledging that Israel would "firmly defend its citizens and its sovereignty."
Lebanon’s government condemned the attack, calling for an end to hostilities and labeling the targeting of civilians a "flagrant violation of international law." The US and EU also condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for a cessation of violence.
The Golan Heights remains a contentious area, with the majority of the international community not recognizing Israel's annexation. Druze residents in the Golan Heights serve in the Israeli Defense Forces and maintain a unique position in Israeli society, with full citizenship rights for those who accepted Israeli nationality.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the rising tensions and its potential impact on regional stability.
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