Tragedy Strikes Majdal Shams as Rocket Attack Claims Lives of Children

In a heart-wrenching scene in the occupied Golan Heights, residents of Majdal Shams gathered to mourn after a rocket strike killed 12 children playing football. The attack, which occurred in the late afternoon, has been attributed to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, escalating tensions in a region already fraught with conflict. The community, known for its picturesque landscape and familial ties across the valley to Syria, is grappling with profound grief and disbelief. Witnesses described the aftermath as horrific, with the remains of children dismembered and the town engulfed in shock. Ahmed, a local resident, recounted the innocence of 13-year-old Alma, who was among the victims, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this tragedy for the community. The emotional toll is palpable, as residents struggle to comprehend the violence that has shattered their lives. In the wake of the attack, anger directed at Israeli officials was evident, particularly towards far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who visited the town shortly after the incident. His comments suggesting that "Lebanon as a whole has to pay the price" were met with outrage from locals, who expressed frustration over the perceived lack of protection from government authorities against such attacks. As the community seeks solace, many residents voiced a collective plea for an end to violence, emphasizing their desire for peace and safety for children everywhere. "Enough killing of children, enough wasting of blood," they declared, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.