New Delhi:
Israel has struck Hezbollah targets and threatened further retaliation for a rocket attack that killed 12 people. But Israel has also shown openness to a proposed truce in Gaza that could also calm the fiery front with Lebanon.
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In the worst incident of civilian casualties for Israel since Hamas stormed its southern villages and military bases on October 7, a rocket exploded in the Golan Heights on Saturday, killing 12 people.
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The rocket attack hit a football field, killing children who local authorities said were between 10 and 16 years old.
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Although Israel claims Hezbollah fired an Iranian Falaq-1 rocket at them, the Iran-backed group said it had “no connection” to the incident. The rocket attack has raised fears of a wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to exact a “very high price” from Hezbollah. He has held several meetings with his security cabinet and military chiefs to decide on the next course of action.
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The United States has condemned the rocket attack and called for restraint on all sides.
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But Iran has issued a warning that any new Israeli military “adventure” in Lebanon could lead to “unintended consequences.”
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Israel says it cannot make deals with enemies who have sworn to destroy it and are on the West’s terrorist blacklist. But internal pressure to get the hostages back is growing and the IDF, which relies on conscripts and reservists, is tired.
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Reports indicate that some senior officials within Israel are in favor of a ceasefire within Gaza, after which Hezbollah has assured it will not attack Israel.
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Israel launched its war on Hamas after the Oct. 7 attacks that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 250 hostage in Gaza. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 39,000.
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Hezbollah is much stronger than Hamas was before Oct. 7, with more fighters, missiles and drones. A war would likely be devastating for both Lebanon and Israel, officials from both countries have said.
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