In a tragic incident on Saturday, 12 children and young adults were killed during a rocket attack at a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The explosive was reportedly linked to the militant group Hezbollah, a claim vehemently denied by the group. The casualties, aged between 10 and 20, marked the deadliest loss of life along Israel’s northern border since Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7.
Following the assault, in which Hezbollah is accused of involvement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed swift retaliation.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes targeting seven Hezbollah positions deep within Lebanese territory, although it remains unclear if there were any casualties in these strikes. Tensions have surged in the region, raising fears of a larger conflict akin to an all-out war.
Hezbollah spokesperson Mohamad Afif suggested that the explosion might have resulted from an Israeli interceptor rocket instead. Meanwhile, IDF officials asserted that the rocket responsible for the attack was an Iranian-made Falaq-1, emphasizing their belief in Hezbollah’s accountability.
The situation escalates as both sides trade fire, with Israeli officials accusing Hezbollah of deceiving the public while calling for a unified response to protect its citizens.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the incident as a “terrible and shocking disaster,” while foreign entities like the US and EU have condemned the attack on civilians, urging restraint to prevent further hostilities.
The Druze community, which has historical ties to the region, expressed outrage over the attack, emphasizing the need for security and justice for those affected.
