Israel has stated that the Lebanon-based militants “crossed all red lines”
Israel’s security cabinet has authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide the extent of a possible military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During a meeting on Sunday evening, the cabinet decided to allow Netanyahu and Gallant “to determine the manner and timing of the response” to Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks.
Tensions escalated on Saturday after a rocket struck a football field in the Druze city of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killing 12 children.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blamed Hezbollah for the attack and later displayed photos of shrapnel that it claimed matched an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket, used by the pro-Palestinian militant group. According to the IDF, the rocket was launched from the Chebaa area in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah, however, denied involvement in the attack on Majdal Shams. The group has been launching rockets and mortar shells at Israeli positions since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7.
The IDF conducted new airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Sunday. However, there are expectations of a stronger response from Israel, including a potential ground invasion, considering the warnings made by leading politicians over the weekend, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz stating that Hezbollah “crossed all red lines.”
Iran has warned that Israel would face an “obliterating war” in case of a “full-scale military aggression” against Lebanon. The US, meanwhile, supported Israel and condemned Hezbollah. Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, stated through her national security adviser that her “support for Israel is ironclad.”