Rocket attack on Golan Heights claims 12 lives

GOLAN HEIGHTS: A rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights claimed the lives of at least 12 people, all under the age of 20 in early hours of Sunday.

The rocket struck a football field, causing severe casualties and destruction.

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The Israeli military identified the missile as an Iranian-made Falaq-1 and attributed the attack to Hezbollah. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah commander Ali Muhammad Yahya directed the assault from a site in Shebaa, southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah denied responsibility, claiming that the incident was caused by an Israeli anti-rocket interceptor that accidentally hit the football pitch.

The National Security Council condemned the attack but focused its criticism on northern Israel rather than specifically addressing the Golan Heights. The council expressed support for measures to prevent further attacks but did not issue calls for restraint.

Such a development is troubling for United States (US) President Joe Biden, who is concerned that the attack might escalate the situation and derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

CIA Director Bill Burns is preparing to meet with officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Israel in Europe. The White House suggested that a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza is nearing completion, with only a few issues left to resolve. The timing of the rocket attack will jeopardise the ceasefire negotiations and only add to the growing tension.

In retaliation, Israeli forces launched strikes that have ignited fires in southern Lebanon. Affected areas include the town of Khiam, the port city of Tyre, the nearby town of Abbasiya, Burj al-Shemali where a Palestinian refugee camp is located, and a field between Chmistar and Taraiyya in the Bekaa Valley, known as a Hezbollah stronghold.

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The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) reports an increase in fires amid the conflict, noting that Israeli forces have employed incendiary white phosphorus munitions and catapults to intentionally burn vegetation.