Are Israel and Lebanon staring at an all-out war after a ‘Hezbollah’ rocket killed 12 children on a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Saturday? Israel has blamed the militant group for the attack while the latter, in a rare move, has denied its responsibility. The Israelis called it the deadliest attack on civilians since the October 7 attack by Hamas which killed hundreds of people. The latest assault has raised fears of a broader regional war between Israel and Hezbollah with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cutting short his US visit and stating that Hezbollah “will pay a heavy price for this attack, one that it has not paid so far.”
The ongoing dispute between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically on Saturday when a rocket struck a soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, near the Syrian border. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of 12 children and left 20 others injured, according to the Israeli military. The rocket attack has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Druze community, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, has a presence in Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. In the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, where the attack took place, the Druze community has a complicated relationship with authorities. Although they are considered among Israel’s most loyal citizens, they also profess allegiance to Syria. The Golan Heights, captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed in 1981, is viewed by much of the international community as occupied territory.
The Israeli military is currently investigating why the rocket attack could not be intercepted. The fact that a bomb shelter was steps away from the field adds to the confusion and raises concerns about the effectiveness of Israel’s defense systems.
The Israeli government swiftly responded to the attack, striking various targets within Lebanon overnight into Sunday. In turn, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for its own strikes, but there have been no immediate reports of casualties from either side’s actions.
This latest escalation comes at a precarious time, as Israel and Hamas are currently negotiating a cease-fire proposal to end the 10-month war in Gaza. The deadly attack on innocent children adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to cut short his US visit to deal with the escalating tensions. His strong warning to Hezbollah, stating that they will “pay a heavy price,” indicates that Israel is prepared to respond more severely to this attack. The Israeli Security Cabinet has authorized Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide how and when to retaliate.
The international community is also actively involved in attempting to find a diplomatic solution to de-escalate the situation. The White House National Security Council has been engaged in discussions with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts to work towards ending all attacks in the border area.
However, the concerns remain high. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, backed by Iran, holds far superior firepower than Hamas. Igniting a war with Hezbollah while already engaged in the conflict with Hamas would overburden Israel’s military and potentially draw Iran into the equation. Iran has warned Israel that any strong reaction will result in “unprecedented consequences,” further raising the stakes in the region.
The United Nations secretary-general has called for maximum restraint from all parties involved. The impact on the ongoing war in Gaza is yet to be fully understood, but officials from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are continuing negotiations for a cease-fire deal in Gaza. The attack in the Golan Heights is seen as potentially increasing the urgency for a resolution, as it is believed that a cease-fire in Gaza could lead to a cease-fire with Hezbollah.
As tensions continue to rise, the possibility of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah looms large. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging restraint from all parties involved. A peaceful resolution and de-escalation of the conflict are crucial for the stability and security of the region