A rocket attack on a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people and injured several others, including children. This attack occurred shortly after an Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon killed three members of the militant Hezbollah group. The Israeli government expressed concerns that this incident could lead to a broader conflict in the region, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return home from the United States. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for striking a military base in the Golan Heights in retaliation for Israeli attacks on a village in Lebanon, but Israeli officials disputed this claim, stating that Hezbollah was behind the rocket launch that caused civilian casualties.
Israeli military officials confirmed that the rocket launch towards Majdal Shams was carried out by Hezbollah. The incident resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including children, prompting outcry and calls for retaliation from local leaders. The Magen David Adom paramedic service initially reported 11 people wounded in the attack, with nine in critical condition. Video footage showed victims being rushed to ambulances on stretchers from the soccer field in Majdal Shams, with calls for Israeli leaders to target top Hezbollah commanders. The Israeli military identified a projectile crossing from Lebanon towards the area and collaborated with medical services to evacuate the wounded.
Hezbollah claimed that its militants fired Katyusha rockets at an Israeli army post in the Golan Heights in response to Israeli airstrikes on villages in south Lebanon. The group confirmed that three of its members were killed in the conflict, with Israel’s military targeting a Hezbollah arms depot in the border village of Kfar Kila. The ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated in recent weeks, with daily exchanges of fire resulting in casualties on both sides. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed the territory in 1981, leading to continued tensions in the region.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified since the outbreak of the war in Gaza following a surprise attack by Hamas. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties, displacements, and a humanitarian crisis in the region. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed hundreds of Hezbollah members and civilians, while Israeli military and civilian casualties have also been reported. The ongoing violence has raised concerns about the potential for a broader conflagration in the region, with fears of further escalations in the conflict. Journalist Mroue reported from Beirut, providing updates on the situation in the Middle East.
