Thousands of people gathered on Sunday for the funerals of children and young people killed in a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, sparking global condemnation and fears of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
The strike, which killed 12 people, targeted a football pitch in Majdal Shams, a town in the Golan Heights where members of the Druze community reside. The victims, aged between 10 and 16, were mourned by their community as they were laid to rest.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hezbollah would “pay a heavy price” for the attack, while Hezbollah denied any involvement. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and Hezbollah retaliated by striking two Israeli military bases.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with cross-border fire escalating since Hamas attacked Israel earlier in October. World leaders have called for de-escalation and expressed concern over the potential for further conflict.
The Druze community, a minority ethnic group in the region, has full citizenship rights in Israel but maintains an allegiance to Syria. The international community does not recognize Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria in 1981.
As the funerals took place, anger among the community boiled over, with some directing their rage at Israeli government officials in attendance. Calls for accountability and promises of action were met with skepticism and frustration.
Global leaders have weighed in on the situation, with differing opinions on who was responsible for the attack. The UK and US condemned the strike and called for an end to violence, while Lebanon’s Foreign Minister expressed uncertainty over the circumstances of the attack.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the deadly strike, efforts to prevent further escalation and restore peace are at the forefront of international discussions.
