Netanyahu Vows Retaliation After Hezbollah Strike Kills 12 in Golan Heights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a strong response on Sunday after a rocket strike blamed on Hezbollah killed 12 people, including children, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The attack hit a soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, deepening fears that the conflict along Israel’s northern border could widen.

Israeli officials said the victims were all children and teenagers. The strike, which Israel attributed to the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, marked one of the deadliest incidents in the area since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after the outbreak of the Gaza war.

Netanyahu cut short his visit to the United States and convened his security cabinet for emergency consultations on possible military action. In a statement, he said Israel would not let the attack go unanswered and promised a severe retaliation.

Hezbollah has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the strike. The group and Israeli forces have exchanged near-daily fire across the Lebanon border for months, raising concerns of a broader regional confrontation. The latest attack has increased pressure on Israeli leaders to respond forcefully while also managing the risk of further escalation.