Israel-Lebanon tensions intensify after deadly Majdal Shams rocket strike

Fears of a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have reached their highest point in months following a deadly rocket strike on Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights.

The attack on a football field in the Syrian Druze village on Saturday killed at least 12 children, with several others seriously wounded.

Israeli and American officials said that Hezbollah was responsible for the attack. The Lebanese armed group has denied involvement. 

“Saturday’s massacre constitutes the crossing of all red lines by Hezbollah,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said following the attack. “This is not an army fighting another army, rather it is a terrorist organisation deliberately shooting at civilians.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Hezbollah would face consequences “even with its ridiculous denials”.

In Majdal Shams, thousands of people attended the funeral of the children killed in the rocket attack.

Residents of the town, many of whom have refused Israeli citizenship, kicked out several Israeli politicians from the funeral, including members of the Israeli parliament and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Read more: Israel-Lebanon tensions intensify after deadly Majdal Shams rocket strike