The most serious attack on Israel
Israel and the United States have blamed the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah for the rocket attack that killed 12 teenagers and children. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Saturday's attack in the village of Majdal Shams, the deadliest in Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7.
Israel has vowed to retaliate against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Israeli warplanes immediately struck targets in southern Lebanon on Sunday. A stronger response is expected after a security cabinet meeting convened by Prime Minister Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
A rocket believed to have been fired by Hezbollah hit a football field, killing 12 teenagers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Photo: Reuters
After the meeting ended, Netanyahu's office said the cabinet "authorized the prime minister and defense minister to decide how and when to respond."
The White House also blamed Hezbollah for the attack on Majdal Shams on Sunday. "This attack was carried out by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their missile and it was launched from an area they control," the statement said.
US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, said through her national security adviser that her "support for Israel's security is absolute".
The UK expressed concern about further escalation, while Egypt said the attack could "become a full-scale war in the region".
What are the Golan Heights and the Druze?
The Golan Heights is territory captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in a move not recognized by most countries.
The Druze, a religion related to Islam, Christianity and Judaism, make up more than half of the Golan Heights' 40,000 population. Crowds of mourners at the attack, many wearing traditional white and red Druze headdresses, surrounded the coffins as they were carried through the village.
"A heavy tragedy, a dark day has come to Majdal Shams," Dolan Abu Saleh, head of the local Majdal Shams council, said in a speech broadcast on Israeli television.
Funeral procession of victims killed in attack in Majdal Shams, Golan Heights on July 28, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Hezbollah initially claimed to have fired rockets at Israeli military sites in the Golan Heights, but said it had "absolutely no involvement" in the attack on Majdal Shams.
Iran's foreign ministry warned Israel on Sunday against "any new adventures in Lebanon". Syria's foreign ministry said it held Israel "fully responsible for this dangerous escalation in the region" and said its accusations against Hezbollah were false.
Hezbollah is the most powerful group in the Iran-backed network of militant groups known as the “Axis of Resistance” across the Middle East. The group opened a second front against Israel shortly after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
Fighting in recent months between Hezbollah and Israel has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes on both Lebanon and Israel’s borders. Israeli airstrikes have killed about 350 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and more than 100 civilians, including medical workers, children and journalists.
The Druze community lives on both sides of the border between southern Lebanon and northern Israel, as well as in the Golan Heights and Syria. While some Druze serve in the Israeli military and identify with Israel, many feel marginalized in Israel and some reject Israeli citizenship.
Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/noi-cac-israel-cho-phep-tan-cong-dap-tra-hezbollah-nguy-co-xung-dot-toan-dien-post305308.html
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