Israeli ministers authorise Netanyahu response to Golan attack.
The security cabinet of Israel has given permission to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister to determine the timing and method of retaliating against a deadly rocket attack attributed to the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah, according to Israel and the US.
Ministers convened in an emergency meeting following the attack on the Israeli-held Golan Heights on Saturday night, where 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community were killed. Hezbollah has rejected blame.
It was the most lethal event across the border during months of gunfire between the two parties.
The assault has increased concerns that the limited conflicts seen so far could escalate into a full-scale war.
Western governments are advising Israel to be cautious in its reaction.
The White House stated that it had been having ongoing conversations with Israeli and Lebanese officials following the tragic incident at the playing field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams.
It was mentioned that efforts were being made to find a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line to finally stop all attacks.
According to Lebanon’s state media, two individuals were killed in a drone attack by Israel near the town of Shaqra in Lebanon, which is approximately 6.5km (four miles) away from the Israeli border, on Monday morning. Hezbollah confirmed that the deceased individuals were two members of its fighting force. There has been no response from Israel regarding the report.
In the meantime, Air France has joined the list of airlines suspending flights to and from Beirut, with concerns mounting about potential Israeli retaliation. Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and Eurowings have all halted flights in a similar manner.
The funerals of the young victims in Majdal Shams happened on Sunday with displays of deep sorrow. As the caskets covered in white were carried through the town, a large crowd of people had assembled.
The assault has been the most destructive one to impact the Druze population, who have resided on the Golan Heights for many years. They belong to an ethnic and religious group who speak Arabic, residing in Lebanon, Syria, the Golan Heights, and northern Israel.
People living on the Golan Heights, which is under Israeli control since it was captured from Syria in the 1967 war, still have strong ties to Syria. Approximately 21,000 people reside on the rocky plateau, with roughly 20% of them holding Israeli citizenship.
The assault on Majdal Shams has sparked anger among both Israel and the Druze population, with approximately 110,000 Druze residing in Israel.
Mr Netanyahu shortened his trip to the US in order to come back to Israel after the strike. Before calling the security cabinet meeting on Sunday, he met with defense officials.
Following the lengthy meeting, the prime minister’s office released a short statement indicating that the Cabinet had empowered the prime minister and the defence minister to determine the approach and timing of the response to the Hezbollah terrorist group.
During a recent conversation offering sympathy to Sheikh Muafak Ṭarif, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, Mr Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah would face severe consequences for their actions.
Hezbollah has vehemently rejected any involvement in the attack, instead pointing fingers at a faulty Israeli interceptor missile as the cause of the bloodshed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) knew the exact location from where the rocket was launched, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi stated on Sunday.
Gen Halevi classified it as an Iranian-manufactured unguided Falaq rocket with a 53kg warhead. This rocket belongs to Hezbollah. He stated that anyone who fires a rocket in a populated area intends to cause harm to civilians, especially children.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified following Hezbollah’s rocket attack on Israeli positions, which took place one day after Hamas’s deadly assault on Israel on 7 October. Hezbollah claims to be providing assistance to the Palestinians.
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