At least ten dead after rocket hits Golan Heights

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Lerato Khumalo

A rocket hits a football field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights – the victims are said to be children and young people. Israel’s Foreign Minister Katz is now warning of a full-scale war.

At least ten people were killed when a rocket hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The victims were children and young people, reported Israeli media and a senior official in the Israeli Foreign Ministry. A soccer field in the village of Majal Shams was hit. The Israeli army had previously reported a rocket attack by Hezbollah. The Shiite militia immediately denied any involvement.

According to the Israeli army, Hezbollah fired around 40 rockets from Lebanon into the Golan Heights. At least one rocket hit Majdal Shams, the military said. Israeli media spoke of the deadliest incident since fighting broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in October. It raised fears that a larger conflagration could break out in the region.

“There is no doubt that Hezbollah has crossed all red lines,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Channel 12 television. “We are facing a full-scale war.” This could entail high costs for Israel, but the costs for Hezbollah would be even higher, warned the chief diplomat.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it had nothing to do with the incident and categorically rejected the accusations of attacking Majdal Shams.

The Golan Heights are a strategically important rocky plateau, about 60 kilometers long and 25 kilometers wide. The plateau was conquered by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1981. However, this was not internationally recognized. Under international law, the areas are considered to be Syrian territory occupied by Israel.

The village that was attacked is mainly inhabited by Druze. The Arabic-speaking religious community emerged from Shiite Islam in the 11th century and today lives mainly in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan.

The Israeli armed forces and Hezbollah have been fighting almost daily since the start of the Gaza war. Recently, the intensity has increased significantly. There have already been deaths on both sides. Hezbollah says it is acting out of solidarity with the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. There have long been fears that the conflict could escalate.