Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a severe response to the deadly rocket attack on Majdal Shams over the weekend. During his visit to the town, Netanyahu expressed deep concern for the victims, stating, 'These children are our children, they are the children of all of us.' He emphasized that the State of Israel will not overlook the attack and promised that the response will be strong.
Accompanied by the head of Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, Netanyahu met with representatives of the bereaved families to offer his condolences and support. The attack, which claimed the lives of 12 children in Majdal Shams, a Syrian Druze town in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, has been attributed to the Lebanese group Hezbollah by Israel. However, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the incident.
The Golan Heights, home to over 20,000 Druze Arabs, was seized by Israel from Syria in 1967. Many Druze residents identify as Syrian and have declined Israeli citizenship. Notably, none of the victims of the recent attack held Israeli citizenship, as confirmed by the Regional Council of Majdal Shams.
This tragic event marks the deadliest strike on Israel or Israeli-controlled territory since the October 7 attack by Hamas. The situation remains tense as Israel prepares to respond to the attack on Majdal Shams with severity, as reiterated by Prime Minister Netanyahu.