Israeli drones struck a remote road in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions following a deadly rocket strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Lebanon’s state news agency reported that two Israeli drone strikes killed two people and wounded three others near the towns of Chaqra and Meiss El Jabal, close to the border with Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed shooting down a drone from Lebanese territory early in the morning.
Rocket Strike on Golan Heights
The recent escalation follows a rocket strike on the town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981, which killed 12 children playing football on Saturday. Israeli and US officials blamed Hezbollah for the strike, though the militant group has denied involvement. The IDF presented shrapnel analysis, suggesting the drone used was Iranian-made.
Israel’s Response and International Pressure
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned early from a US trip to discuss the incident with military officials and convened his security cabinet. After the meeting, Netanyahu’s office stated that he and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were authorized to determine Israel’s response. Senior defense officials indicated that Israel aims to target Hezbollah without inciting a full-scale war, expecting a “limited but significant” response.
Diplomatic Efforts and International Reactions
The US has urged Israel to avoid escalating the situation, particularly cautioning against strikes on Beirut, fearing regional instability. Security analysts suggest that Hezbollah’s denial of the Majdal Shams strike is due to the high casualties, the location’s disputed status, and the victims’ Druze Arab identity.
Calls for Ceasefire
The Quad nations, comprising Australia, Japan, India, and the US, issued a statement from Tokyo supporting ceasefire talks. Diplomatic efforts in Rome aimed at securing a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, linked to halting Hezbollah attacks, have so far disappointed families of hostages held by Hamas. Danny Elgarat, whose brother is a hostage, expressed disillusionment with Netanyahu’s stance, suggesting that a deal is unlikely while he remains in office.