Israel’s Security Cabinet Grants Authority for Retaliation Against Hezbollah Following Deadly Attack
In a critical emergency session, Israel’s security cabinet has granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister authority to determine the timing and method of retaliation following a deadly rocket attack attributed to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This attack, which occurred on Saturday evening in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, tragically resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community.
This incident marks the deadliest cross-border event in recent months amidst ongoing exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah. As tensions escalate, there are growing concerns that the relatively contained hostilities could escalate into a full-scale war.
Many Western governments are calling on Israel to exercise restraint in its forthcoming response to the aggression. The White House has stated that it is proactively engaging in “continuous discussions” with both Israeli and Lebanese officials since the horrifying attack in the Druze town of Majdal Shams.
Further intensifying the situation, an Israeli drone strike early Monday outside the Lebanese town of Shaqra reportedly resulted in the deaths of two individuals, although Israel has not confirmed this incident. The funerals for the young victims were conducted in Majdal Shams on Sunday, drawing thousands of mourners in an expression of profound grief.
This attack stands as one of the most devastating against the Druze community, who have resided in the Golan Heights for centuries. Historically, this group has maintained a mixed allegiance, with approximately 20% of the 21,000 Druze residents in the Golan accepting Israeli citizenship, while many others retain ties to Syria.
The offensive has sparked widespread outrage within both the Druze community and the broader Israeli populace. Prime Minister Netanyahu, having cut short his visit to the US, held pivotal meetings with defense officials and convened the security cabinet to address this crisis.
Following extensive deliberations, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office revealed that cabinet members expressly authorized Netanyahu and the Defence Minister to respond decisively against Hezbollah. In a condolence call to the leader of Israel’s Druze community, Sheikh Muafak Ṭarif, Netanyahu asserted that Hezbollah would “pay a heavy price” for the attack.
In response to Hezbollah’s denial of involvement, the Israeli military has indicated certainty regarding the origin of the rocket fire, identifying it as an unguided Falaq rocket. Israeli military Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi emphasized that the intention behind such rocket launches, particularly into populated areas, is to cause civilian casualties.
This latest escalation comes after Hezbollah’s earlier rocket attacks, which were interpreted as acts of support for Palestinian causes following the tragic events that unfolded on October 7. The unfolding events continue to raise alarms about increased tensions in the region.
