Tension mounts along the Israel-Lebanon border following yesterday's devastating rocket attack on Majdal Shams that claimed the lives of 12 children and teenagers. As Israel prepares its response, Hezbollah is reportedly evacuating key facilities in southern Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his U.S. visit, touching down at Ben Gurion Airport early Sunday afternoon. He headed straight to Tel Aviv for security briefings ahead of a crucial cabinet meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. While Israeli officials have promised a "significant" response, they're also walking a tightrope to avoid igniting a wider regional conflict.
"Hezbollah will pay a heavy price," a senior Israeli source told Haaretz, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But we're not looking to start a war that engulfs the entire Middle East."
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirming Israel's right to self-defense. "All indications point to Hezbollah as the perpetrator of this heinous act," Blinken stated, while also expressing hope for a Gaza ceasefire that could potentially ease tensions on the northern front.
Lebanon, meanwhile, is scrambling to prevent further escalation. Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib revealed that the U.S. has asked Beirut to rein in Hezbollah, while Lebanon simultaneously urges Washington to advocate for Israeli restraint.
"A harsh response will lead to a regional war," Bou Habib warned in an interview with Reuters.
The tragic events unfolded around 6:15 p.m. yesterday (Saturday) when a heavy Iranian-made rocket slammed into a football field in Majdal Shams where dozens of children were playing. The attack marks the deadliest incident in northern Israel since Hezbollah began its campaign of "solidarity" with Gaza on October 8th.
As the victims were laid to rest in a mass funeral on Sunday, grief quickly turned to anger. Mourners directed their fury not only at Hezbollah but also at the Israeli government, demanding a forceful response to the attack.
The coming hours will be crucial as Israel's security cabinet weighs its options. With Hezbollah on high alert and the international community watching closely, the next moves by both sides could determine whether the region slides further into conflict or steps back from the brink.
* Ynet contributed to this article.