At least nine people were killed and 34 wounded, including 17 in critical condition, after a rocket barrage from Lebanon struck the annexed Golan Heights on Saturday, Israel‘s emergency medical service reported. The head of the Magen David Adom emergency service, Eli Bin, confirmed the casualties following a rocket hitting the town of Majdal Shams.
In response to the attack, Israel’s military announced it “will prepare response” against Hezbollah, which it blamed for the deadly rocket strike.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that he is returning home as quickly as possible following the incident.
Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon killed three members of the militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah claimed it retaliated by striking a military base in the Golan Heights, though its chief spokesman, Mohammed Afif, denied any involvement in the attack on Majdal Shams.
According to the Israeli military, intelligence indicated that Hezbollah was responsible for the rocket launch at a soccer field in Majdal Shams, resulting in multiple civilian casualties, including children. Israeli Public Broadcaster Kan aired footage of the wounded being rushed to ambulances from the soccer field.
“These were kids at a soccer field,” said Beni Ben Muvchar, head of the local council, on Israeli Channel 12. “Today a red line was crossed,” he added, urging Israeli leaders to target top Hezbollah commanders.
The Israeli military confirmed that one projectile had crossed from Lebanon toward the area and that it was working with the MDA to evacuate the wounded. Channel 12 broadcasted footage of a large blast in one of the town’s valleys.
Hezbollah stated that its militants fired Katyusha rockets at an Israeli army post in the Golan Heights in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on villages in southern Lebanon. The group noted that three of its members were killed on Saturday but did not specify the location. Israel’s military reported targeting a Hezbollah arms depot in the border village of Kfar Kila during the airstrike.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed the territory in 1981. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified since the war in Gaza began after Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, which killed around 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. In response, Israel launched an offensive that has resulted in more than 39,000 deaths and displaced over 80% of Gaza’s population, according to local health authorities.
Over the past weeks, the exchange of fire between Lebanon and Israel has escalated, with Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks reaching deeper into each other’s territories. Since early October, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed over 450 people, mostly Hezbollah members, along with approximately 90 civilians. On the Israeli side, 21 soldiers and 13 civilians have died.
In response to the attack, Israel’s military announced it “will prepare response” against Hezbollah, which it blamed for the deadly rocket strike.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that he is returning home as quickly as possible following the incident.
Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon killed three members of the militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah claimed it retaliated by striking a military base in the Golan Heights, though its chief spokesman, Mohammed Afif, denied any involvement in the attack on Majdal Shams.
According to the Israeli military, intelligence indicated that Hezbollah was responsible for the rocket launch at a soccer field in Majdal Shams, resulting in multiple civilian casualties, including children. Israeli Public Broadcaster Kan aired footage of the wounded being rushed to ambulances from the soccer field.
“These were kids at a soccer field,” said Beni Ben Muvchar, head of the local council, on Israeli Channel 12. “Today a red line was crossed,” he added, urging Israeli leaders to target top Hezbollah commanders.
The Israeli military confirmed that one projectile had crossed from Lebanon toward the area and that it was working with the MDA to evacuate the wounded. Channel 12 broadcasted footage of a large blast in one of the town’s valleys.
Hezbollah stated that its militants fired Katyusha rockets at an Israeli army post in the Golan Heights in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on villages in southern Lebanon. The group noted that three of its members were killed on Saturday but did not specify the location. Israel’s military reported targeting a Hezbollah arms depot in the border village of Kfar Kila during the airstrike.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed the territory in 1981. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified since the war in Gaza began after Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, which killed around 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. In response, Israel launched an offensive that has resulted in more than 39,000 deaths and displaced over 80% of Gaza’s population, according to local health authorities.
Over the past weeks, the exchange of fire between Lebanon and Israel has escalated, with Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks reaching deeper into each other’s territories. Since early October, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed over 450 people, mostly Hezbollah members, along with approximately 90 civilians. On the Israeli side, 21 soldiers and 13 civilians have died.
