Concerns about escalation and wider war in the Middle East

2024-07-29 20:19:44, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Middle East is bracing for an escalation of violence after a weekend rocket attack that left 12 children dead, which the Israeli military described as the deadliest attack on civilians since October 7. Israel blames the militant group Hezbollah for the attack on a soccer field in the Golan, but Hezbollah has denied responsibility. The White House's National Security Council announced that it is in contact with authorities in Israel and Lebanon and is working to find a diplomatic solution, while Italy, Great Britain and Germany are calling for an escalation of the situation.

The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck a number of targets inside Lebanon overnight. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed two people and wounded three others, according to Lebanese media, as Israel prepares a response to the weekend attack. The Reuters agency, based on security sources, identified the two killed as members of the Hezbollah group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who rushed back from the United States after the attack, said Israel would retaliate.

"Israel cannot but react. We will retaliate and our retaliation will be severe," he stressed in a statement issued by his office after visiting the town of Majdal Shams where Saturday's attack took place.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also visited the families of children killed in the attack on Monday and vowed that Israel would retaliate against the Hezbollah militant group, adding to fears of an open war between them.

"We will do our best to restore security and normalcy. Hezbollah will pay the price for this and other attacks. Actions will speak, not words. I have come to tell you that the entire security system, the government, everyone who witnessed it, we are shocked. It is one of the most difficult events that happened in Israel," he said.

Twelve children, aged 10 to 16, were killed in Saturday's attack when a rocket hit a soccer field in the town of Majdal Shams, home to the Druze community, in the Israeli-held Golan, about 12 kilometers south of Lebanon and on the border. with Syria. The last victim of the attack was buried on Monday, while 20 wounded are still being treated, according to the Israeli military.

Iran warned Israel that a strong response would have "unprecedented consequences", while the White House announced it was talking to authorities in Lebanon and Israel about finding a solution that would "end once and for all" the attacks along border between Lebanon and Israel. According to diplomatic sources, President Biden's adviser Amos Hochstein is working to ensure that Israel's retaliatory attack on Hezbollah and the militant group's response to it do not lead to open war. Efforts to reduce tensions were joined by Italy, Great Britain and Germany, which called on its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

According to Israeli media, cited by the Reuters agency, Israeli officials are considering the possibility of a limited attack on infrastructure, including bridges, power plants and ports, up to striking Hezbollah weapons depots or commanders of this group, which the US government has declared a terrorist organization.

However, two senior Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel intends to strike the militant group and not to instigate an open war in the Middle East.

Attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, which operates from Lebanon and says it has been attacking Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza since October last year, have increased in recent months, causing killings and displacement of civilians in border areas./ VOA