Israel vows revenge following an airstrike in the occupied Golan Heights that killed at least 12 people, escalating regional tensions.
On Saturday, Israeli authorities reported that a minimum of 12 individuals, including children, passed away due to an airstrike on a football field located in the Golan Heights under Israeli control.
In Majdal Shams, a Druze village, the rocket landed on the pitch that was bustling with children and teenagers.
This location is located in land that was seized by Israel from Syria during the 1967 conflict in the Middle East and subsequently annexed, a decision which most countries do not acknowledge.
Since the Gaza war began, this strike is the most fatal on an Israeli objective and has sparked concerns about a wider escalation in the area.
Israel has announced that, based on intelligence gathered, the launching of the rocket was executed by “the terrorist organization Hezbollah.” The country pledges to seek retribution.
The strike has been disclaimed by the Lebanese group, which is backed by Iran.
On Saturday, at the same time as this happening, an Israeli airstrike took place that resulted in a minimum of 30 Palestinian fatalities and over a hundred wounded. The victims had sought refuge in a school located within Deir al-Balah area of Gaza strip.
The military of Israel reported that it had directed its focus at militants who were active in the area and assured that measures have been implemented to minimize potential harm for non-combatants.
The ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations are likely to become more complex due to the recent deaths, as representatives from Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the United States plan on meeting in Italy this coming Sunday.
On Friday, it was announced by US officials that Israel and Hamas had come to an agreement on the fundamental structure of a three-phase ceasefire proposal put forth by President Joe Biden.
