Children Killed in Rocket Attack in Golan Heights

On July 28, a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers, prompting Israel's security cabinet to authorize a military response. The attack, which occurred in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, has been attributed to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah by both Israel and the United States. However, Hezbollah has denied responsibility, claiming it had no involvement in the incident, which marks the deadliest attack on civilians in the region since the onset of the Gaza conflict on October 7. In the aftermath of the attack, thousands gathered for funerals in Majdal Shams, a territory captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war. The Israeli military has stated that the rocket was an Iranian-made missile fired from southern Lebanon, reinforcing their assertion that Hezbollah is to blame. Israeli officials have indicated that a response will be forthcoming, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz emphasizing that "a red line was crossed" and calling for targeted actions against Hezbollah commanders. The situation remains tense, with ongoing exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters. The U.S. has been engaged in diplomatic discussions with both Israeli and Lebanese officials to de-escalate the situation. As the conflict continues, fears of a broader regional war loom, particularly as Israel conducts airstrikes in southern Lebanon in retaliation for the rocket attack, which has already resulted in significant casualties on both sides.