By Hezbollah militants are reportedly abandoning their posts in southern and eastern Lebanon as Israel gears up for what sources describe as “days of fighting” in response to a devastating rocket attack in the Golan Heights. The attack, which struck a football pitch in the Druze town of Majdal Shams on Saturday evening, killed 12 children, sparking outrage and calls for swift retaliation.
A source close to the situation told AFP, “Hezbollah has evacuated some positions in the south and in the Bekaa valley that it thinks could be a target for Israel.” This strategic retreat comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to “hit the enemy hard” in response to the tragic loss of young lives.
Israel is reportedly planning an extensive military operation that could last for days, signaling a potential significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli security cabinet, summoned by Netanyahu upon his return to the country, is deliberating on the scope and nature of the response.
The attack has left the community of Majdal Shams, a town of 11,000 in northern Israel, devastated. Survivors reported horrific scenes, with children’s bodies lying atop one another and limbs blown off. The 12th victim, 11-year-old Gevara Ebraheem, was identified overnight, adding to the community’s grief.
Despite Hezbollah’s apparent retreat from certain positions, the group continued to launch missiles on Monday morning, with seven striking a hill in Israel. This ongoing aggression underscores the volatile nature of the situation and the potential for further escalation.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been characterized by tit-for-tat strikes for months, but the scale of civilian casualties in this latest attack has raised the stakes significantly. Israel’s planned response could mark a turning point in the conflict, potentially leading to a more protracted and intense engagement.
As tensions reach a boiling point, the international community watches closely, aware that the next moves by both sides could determine whether the region descends into a wider and more destructive conflict. The coming days will be crucial in shaping the future of not just Israel-Lebanon relations, but potentially the broader stability of the Middle East.
While Israel prepares its military response, questions remain about the potential effectiveness and consequences of such action. The situation remains fluid, with both sides bracing for what could be a significant escalation in hostilities.
