Netanyahu vows to make Hezbollah 'pay a hefty price' as strike in Golan Heights kills 12

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah will “pay a hefty price” after a strike in the occupied town of Golan Heights killed 12 people and injured many. Netanyahu made it clear that the Jewish nation would not let the murderous attack in Majdal Shams “pass in silence".

The remarks from the Israeli premier came after he ordered to cut short his trip to Washington. The Israeli Prime Minister was initially slated to depart at 11 pm (local time) but will now be taking off at 6 pm (local time). The attack rocked the highly contentious region at a time when the Iran-backed group was involved in launching a barrage of rockets from Lebanon.

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services said “large numbers” of ambulances were dispatched to the scene to treat the casualties, all aged between 10 and 20 years old. The attack took place in the Druze town of Majdal Shams which is close to the border with Syria. Shortly after the incident, Hezbollah made it clear that the group was not behind the attack.

What Netanyahu said on the matter

In a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu said that he assured the head of Israel’s Druze community that “Hezbollah will pay a heavy price, the kind it has thus far not paid.”

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made clear that Israel will not allow the murderous attack to simply pass on by, and that Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for this that it has not paid until this point,” his office furthered.

The Prime Minister also released a video condemning the attack and repeated the same sentiments of revenge. “Among the murdered were small children who were playing soccer,” he said, “and others were also murdered. Our hearts are all broken by these sights.” He pledged that Israel would “not let it pass in silence’ and assured that the whole nation is standing by the Druze community “in its difficult time, which is also our difficult time.”

IDF prepares for ‘harsh response’

While visiting Majdal Shams earlier, the Israel Defence Force’s Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi told the community leaders that the deadly attack on Druze town would be met with a “significant response”. “We will hit Hezbollah hard,” he vowed, adding that the Lebanon-based terror group “does not distinguish between killing Druze or Jews.”

When Israel strikes, he warned, “Hezbollah may shoot here more, and caution must be taken to follow the Home Front Command and Northern Command’s instructions,” the Times of Israel reported. “We want to deliver a hard blow to Hezbollah, without having any more casualties here,” he added.

Several Lebanese news outlets have reported that there have been multiple Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, following a deadly Hezbollah rocket attack. The reports claimed that the strikes were carried out in the town of Burj el-Shemali, some three kilometers from Tyre. Social media users post footage of what they say are the Israeli airstrikes. However, the IDF is yet to confirm the reports.

Hezbollah denies the attack

Meanwhile, Hezbollah chief spokesman Mohammed Afif told The Associated Press that the group “categorically denies carrying out an attack on Majdal Shams.” It is unusual for the Lebanese militant group to deny an attack on Israeli territory.

However, a US official told CBS News that “there’s no real doubt here this was Hezbollah.” Not only this, Israel’s military chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari also told reporters that “Hezbollah is lying.” It is pertinent to note that this was the single deadliest attack conducted by Hezbollah since the fighting began after Hamas conducted a surprise attack on Israeli territory on October 7.

The Jewish nation has a hold on the Golan Heights since 1967, annexing it in 1981.

With inputs from agencies.