Israel has vowed to make Hezbollah “pay the price” after a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 children, sparking fears of an all-out war. Hezbollah denies responsibility for the deadly strike, but Israel conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in retaliation.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised a heavy response, stating, “Hezbollah is responsible for this and they will pay the price.” The rocket attack, which killed 12 children playing on a soccer field, has escalated tensions in the region.
Hundreds gathered for a funeral procession to honor the victims of the strike, with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased. However, not all mourners were pleased, as some residents confronted far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich at the event.
Experts have analyzed footage of the attack, pointing to Hezbollah as the likely perpetrator. Lebanon has called for an international investigation to determine responsibility for the strike. Despite escalating tensions, Lebanon’s foreign minister warned that a war with Israel could have dire consequences for the entire region.
International leaders, including Egypt and the United Nations, have called for restraint to prevent further escalation of the conflict. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned from the US to convene a security cabinet meeting to discuss the situation and plan a response.
In the wake of the strike, residents have questioned the effectiveness of the early warning system, with eyewitnesses reporting a short time between the alert sirens and the rocket impact. The IDF has stated that the alert system was working properly, but efforts are ongoing to improve life-saving alerts for the public.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains tense in the region, with the threat of all-out war looming.
