The Israeli military says it has hit several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after a devastating rocket attack killed 12 children and young adults who were playing football in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Israel has accused the Lebanese militant group of carrying out the attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams, but Hezbollah has vehemently denied it was responsible.
The attack on Saturday resulted in the highest loss of life on Israel’s northern border since the war began on 7 October, and the escalating tensions could lead to a full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as their forces have been engaging in frequent exchanges of fire since the Israel-Gaza war erupted in October.
Hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed retaliation against Hezbollah, the Israeli Air Force said it had struck several targets overnight. Netanyahu is returning early from his Washington trip due to the incident.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Daniel Hagari, accused the Iranian-backed group of lying that it wasn’t behind the attack when intelligence pointed to the organisation. He added that the rocket was made in Iran and owned exclusively by Hezbollah.
As the Israeli security cabinet meets on Sunday, the United Nations, European Union and several countries have urged maximum restraint, adding that the Middle East cannot afford another open conflict.