Hezbollah Rocket Attack Kills 12 in Golan Heights – Israel’s Response

Deadliest Rocket Strike in Israeli-Occupied Territory

On Saturday, a tragic rocket attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights resulted in 12 deaths, including children. This incident marks the deadliest rocket strike in Israel or its annexed territories since the onset of the Gaza conflict.

Hezbollah Denies Responsibility Amid Rising Tensions

The rocket struck a football pitch in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, a region captured from Syria by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and subsequently annexed. Israeli officials have attributed the attack to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese group. However, Hezbollah has categorically denied any involvement, stating, “The Islamic Resistance has absolutely nothing to do with the incident.”

Eyewitnesses Describe the Devastation

Witnesses reported that children and teenagers were on the pitch when the rocket hit. Mourhaf Abu Saleh described the chaos: “They were playing soccer, heard the sirens, and ran for shelter but couldn’t reach it in time.”

Israeli Response and International Reactions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and vowed severe retaliation against Hezbollah. The U.S. has expressed strong support for Israel, condemning the attack and reaffirming its commitment to Israel’s security against Iran-backed groups.

The Israeli military identified the rocket as an Iranian-made Falaq-1, launched from southern Lebanon. Despite the attack, Israeli authorities have indicated that there will be no immediate changes to Home Front Command instructions.

Impact on the Region and Future Outlook

The Golan Heights attack has significantly heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, reflecting the broader conflict involving Iran-backed groups. The region, home to over 40,000 people, including many Druze residents, faces increased instability as retaliatory strikes and cross-border attacks continue.

Israeli forces have recently targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, further escalating the situation. With ongoing exchanges of fire and civilian casualties, the risk of a full-scale war looms large.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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