Rocket Attack in Israeli-Controlled Golan Heights Kills 11; Netanyahu Rushes Home

A rocket strike on a soccer field killed at least 11 children and teens on Saturday, marking the deadliest attack on an Israeli target along the northern border since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began. The strike heightened fears of a broader regional war.

Israel accused Hezbollah of the attack in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, but Hezbollah denied any involvement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah “will pay a heavy price for this attack, one that it has not paid so far.”

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, called it the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians since the Hamas attack on October 7. He reported that 20 others were wounded.

“There is no doubt that Hezbollah has crossed all the red lines here, and the response will reflect that,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Channel 12. “We are nearing the moment in which we face an all-out war.”

Hezbollah’s chief spokesman, Mohammed Afif, told The Associated Press that the group “categorically denies carrying out an attack on Majdal Shams.” Such denials from Hezbollah are uncommon.

The strike, which occurred just before sunset, followed earlier cross-border violence. Hezbollah reported three of its fighters killed, without specifying the location. Israel’s military said its air force targeted a Hezbollah arms depot in the border village of Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 10 different attacks on Israeli military posts, including using rockets and explosive drones. The group said the attacks were in response to Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanese villages.

Netanyahu’s office announced he would cut short his visit to the United States and convene the security Cabinet upon his return.

Far-right members of Netanyahu’s government called for a harsh response against Hezbollah. An all-out war with Hezbollah would be challenging for Israel’s military after nearly 10 months of fighting in Gaza.

Footage aired on Channel 12 showed a large blast in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. Video showed paramedics rushing stretchers off the soccer field toward ambulances.

Residents described the rocket strike hitting while children played soccer, with little time to take shelter.

Israel’s military reported that the rocket was launched from an area north of the village of Chebaa in southern Lebanon.

The White House National Security Council stated that the U.S. “will continue to support efforts to end these terrible attacks along the Blue Line. Our support for Israel’s security is iron-clad and unwavering against all Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah.”

U.S. intelligence officials are confident that Hezbollah carried out the attack on the Golan Heights, though it’s unclear if the target was intentional or a misfire.

Lebanon’s government called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts” and condemned all attacks on civilians.

Israel and Hezbollah have been trading fire since October 8, a day after Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have intensified, with attacks reaching deeper into both territories.

Majdal Shams had not been ordered to evacuate as tensions rose, despite not sitting directly on the border with Lebanon.

International efforts to ease tensions have made little progress. Hezbollah has refused to cease fire as long as Israel’s offensive in Gaza continues. Israel and Hezbollah previously fought an inconclusive war in 2006.

The violence comes as Israel and Hamas consider a cease-fire proposal to end the nearly 10-month war in Gaza and release around 110 hostages held by Hamas. Since October 7, Hamas’ attack killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Israel’s offensive has killed over 39,000 people, according to local health authorities.

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