Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday pledged significant retaliation against Hezbollah amidst intense diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.
This follows a weekend rocket strike in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of 12 children.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of launching the Saturday evening rocket from Lebanon, which struck a soccer field in the predominantly Druze town of Majdal Shams.
Unusually, Hezbollah denied involvement in the attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the “importance of preventing escalation” with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, highlighting diplomatic endeavors to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Since the Gaza war began in October, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in near-daily border exchanges, carefully avoiding full-scale warfare. However, these exchanges have intensified, with the latest strike threatening a dangerous escalation.
Early Monday, Israeli strikes targeted a motorcycle near the Lebanese border, killing two and injuring three others, according to Lebanese state media. These strikes, part of the ongoing cross-border fire, were not Israel’s response to Saturday’s attack.
On Monday, thousands mourned the 12th victim of the strike, 11-year-old Guevara Ibrahim, in Majdal Shams.
Netanyahu, visiting the soccer field and meeting with Druze community leaders, stated, “These children are our children, they are the children of all of us.”
He vowed severe retaliation, reiterating Israel’s stance that Hezbollah was behind the rocket attack.
Around 300 friends and relatives of the victims protested Netanyahu’s visit, accusing him of exploiting the tragedy for political gain and demanding an end to the violence.
They displayed photos of the children and called for peace. After Netanyahu departed, some protestors dismantled the wreath laid on the field, with relatives holding up toys left by the children.
The Druze community in the Golan Heights has had a complex relationship with Israel since it captured the territory from Syria in 1967 and later annexed it. While some Druze hold Israeli citizenship and have integrated into Israeli society, many sympathize with Syria and reject the annexation.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also visited Majdal Shams, warning that Hezbollah would “pay a price” for the attack, without providing specifics.
The Israeli military claims Hezbollah fired an Iranian-made Falaq rocket with a 53-kilogram, 117-pound, warhead. An anonymous Lebanese official revealed that Hezbollah has been moving precision-guided missiles in preparation for potential conflict, though the group does not seek a full-scale war.
Since Oct. 8, a day after Hamas militants entered southern Israel, Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire. Hezbollah has expressed support for Hamas, contributing to the escalating violence.
The conflict has resulted in over 500 deaths in Lebanon, including 90 civilians, and 47 deaths on the Israeli side, comprising 22 soldiers and 25 civilians. Tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border.
The U.S. and France have been advocating for a negotiated agreement between Hezbollah and Israel to stabilize the border and enable residents to return home.
The White House National Security Council is engaged in talks with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts to seek a diplomatic resolution.
Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, has been actively working to de-escalate the situation, according to a Lebanese diplomat.
A war between Israel and Hezbollah could lead to extensive devastation, given Hezbollah’s significant arsenal of 150,000 rockets and missiles, including precision-guided ones.
The 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in massive damage in Lebanon, leading to sustained pressure on Hezbollah to avoid another war.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed the conflict, agreeing that an expanded regional conflict serves no one’s interest, as Lammy noted on social media.
