In the wake of a devastating rocket attack that claimed the lives of 12 children in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged a stern response against Hezbollah.
The attack, which occurred on a soccer field in the predominantly Druze town of Majdal Shams, has been attributed to Hezbollah by Israeli authorities. However, in an unusual turn of events, Hezbollah has denied any involvement.
According to ABC News, the rocket attack has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at preventing the situation from escalating into a full-blown regional war. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, underscoring the "importance of preventing escalation" and exploring diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, fueled by the Iranian-backed Lebanese group, has seen almost daily cross-border fire since the Gaza war erupted in October. While both sides have seemingly tried to avoid escalating the conflict, the frequency of the exchanges and the severity of the latest attack have raised fears of a spiraling war.
On Monday, Israeli strikes targeted a motorcycle near the Lebanese border, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries, as reported by Lebanese state media. However, these strikes did not appear to be a direct response to Saturday's deadly attack.
In Majdal Shams, thousands of mourners bid farewell to the 12th victim of the rocket strike, 11-year-old Guevara Ibrahim. Netanyahu, during his visit to the town, met with leaders of the Druze community and visited the soccer field where the tragedy unfolded. "These children are our children, they are the children of all of us," he said. "The state of Israel will not and cannot overlook this. Our response will come, and it will be severe," he added, reiterating that Hezbollah was responsible for the rocket attack.
However, Netanyahu's visit was met with protests from around 300 friends, relatives, and supporters of the victims. They accused the Prime Minister of exploiting the tragedy for political gain and called for an end to the violence. Following Netanyahu's departure, some protesters tore down the wreath laid on the soccer field, while grieving relatives held up the children's toys left on the field.
The Druze community in the Golan Heights has had a complex relationship with Israel since the territory was captured from Syria in the 1967 war and subsequently annexed. While some Druze have Israeli citizenship and have integrated into Israeli society, many still sympathize with Syria and reject Israeli annexation.
Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also visited Majdal Shams, warning that Hezbollah would "pay a price" for the attack. He did not provide further details, stating, "We will let actions speak for themselves."
Israel's military has claimed that Hezbollah fired an Iranian-made Falaq rocket with a 53-kilogram warhead. A Lebanese group official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that Hezbollah has begun moving precision-guided missiles for potential use.
The official also stated that while Hezbollah does not desire a full-scale war with Israel, it will fight without limits if war breaks out. The group has been trading fire with Israel since October 8, a day after Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel, in a show of support for the Palestinian group.
The conflict has resulted in over 500 deaths in Lebanon, including 90 civilians, and 47 Israeli casualties, including 25 civilians. Tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border.
Efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution between Hezbollah and Israel have been ongoing for months, led by the U.S. and France. The White House National Security Council has been in talks with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts, working towards a diplomatic solution to "end all attacks once and for all" in the border area.
Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, has been making numerous calls in an attempt to contain the situation, according to a Lebanese diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah could result in significant destruction. Hezbollah's firepower far surpasses that of Hamas, with an estimated arsenal of 150,000 rockets and missiles, including precision-guided missiles. The last war between the two parties in 2006 resulted in massive damage in Lebanon, leading to intense pressure on Hezbollah from the Lebanese not to provoke another war with Israel.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has been in talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who stated, "We both agreed that widening of conflict in the region is in nobodys interest." As the region teeters on the brink of war, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
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