At least 12 children were killed and 20 others were injured in a rocket strike at a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights along the country's northern border, the authorities said, calling the July 27 attack as the deadliest strike on an Israeli target since October 7 last year.
Although Israel blamed Hezbollah for the strike, the Lebanese organization denied any role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Hezbollah that it “will pay a heavy price for this attack, one that it has not paid so far," raising concerns of a full-fledged regional war.
The Israeli military's chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, called it the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians since the attack by Palestinian fighter group Hama.
“There is no doubt that Hezbollah has crossed all the red lines here, and the response will reflect that,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Israeli Channel 12. “We are nearing the moment in which we face an all-out war.”
Hezbollah chief spokesman Mohammed Afif told The Associated Press that the group “categorically denies carrying out an attack" on the town of Majdal Shams.” It is unusual for Hezbollah to deny an attack.
Netanyahu was currently visiting the US. However, his office said he would cut short his trip by several hours but did not specify when he would return. It said he will convene the Security Cabinet after arriving.
Israeli's Channel 12 aired a video showing a large blast in one of the valleys in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, in the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights was captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed in 1981.
The local media channel reported that children were playing soccer when the rocket hit the field. He said a siren was heard seconds before the rocket hit, but there was no time to take shelter, a resident told the channel.
According to an analysis by Israel's military, the rocket was launched from an area north of the village of Chebaa in southern Lebanon.
US intelligence officials have no doubts that Hezbollah carried out the July 27 attack but there was no confirmation if the militant group intended the target or misfired.
The White House National Security Council in a statement said the US “will continue to support efforts to end these terrible attacks along the Blue Line, which must be a top priority. Our support for Israel’s security is iron-clad and unwavering against all Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah.”
Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire since Oct 8, a day after Hamas fighter group infiltrated southern Israel.
While Hamas' attack on Oct 7 killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage, Israel's assault on Gaza has taken more than 39,000 lives including scores of children and women, according to local health authorities.
In the past few weeks, there has been an intensified exchange of fire on Lebanon-Israel border, with Israeli airstrikes and rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah striking deeper and farther away from the border.
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