Rocket Strike on Golan Soccer Field Kills 11 Children; Hezbollah Denies Role

A rocket strike on a soccer field in northern Israel killed at least 11 children and teenagers, according to Israeli authorities. This incident marks the deadliest attack on an Israeli target along the northern border since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began. Israel accused Hezbollah of launching the rocket, but the militant group denied any involvement.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated, "Hezbollah fired a rocket at children playing soccer in northern Israel. It then lied and claimed they did not carry out the attack." He described it as the deadliest assault on Israeli civilians since the Hamas attack on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

Hezbollah Denies Involvement

Hezbollah's chief spokesperson, Mohammed Afif, told The Associated Press that the group "categorically denies carrying out an attack on Majdal Shams." This denial is unusual for Hezbollah, which typically claims responsibility for its actions. The group admitted to nine separate attacks using rockets and explosive drones against Israeli military posts, including targeting the army command of the Haramoun Brigade in Maaleh Golani with Katyusha rockets.

The rocket strike followed earlier cross-border violence on Saturday. Hezbollah reported that three of its fighters were killed but did not specify where. The Israeli military said its air force targeted a Hezbollah arms depot in Kfar Kila, a border village, and claimed militants were present during the strike.

Escalating Violence Along the Border

Footage aired on Israeli Channel 12 showed a large explosion in Majdal Shams, a Druze town in the Golan Heights. Israel captured this area from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in 1981. Video clips depicted paramedics rushing stretchers off the soccer field towards waiting ambulances.

Hail Mahmoud, a resident of Majdal Shams, told Channel 12 that children were playing soccer when the rocket hit. He mentioned that a siren sounded seconds before the impact, but there was no time to seek shelter.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would cut short his visit to the United States by several hours due to this incident. However, it did not specify when he would return.

Calls for Ceasefire Amid Rising Tensions

Lebanon's government issued a statement urging "immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts" and condemning attacks on civilians. This statement did not specifically mention Majdal Shams. Since October 8, Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire, with recent weeks seeing intensified clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Saturdays' violence occurred as Israel and Hamas considered a ceasefire proposal aimed at ending nearly ten months of conflict and freeing approximately 110 hostages held in Gaza. The surprise attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in around 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken. In response, Israel launched an offensive that has killed over 39,000 people according to local health authorities.

Since early October, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have resulted in more than 450 deaths, mostly among Hezbollah members but also including around 90 civilians and non-combatants. On the Israeli side, 44 people have been killed, including at least 21 soldiers.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange fire along their shared border. The international community watches closely as efforts to negotiate a ceasefire continue amidst escalating violence.