Israel accuses Lebanon and Hezbollah of killing children on the Golan Heights and announces retaliation

(Patria) - Israel holds Lebanon and Hezbollah responsible for the incident on the Golan Heights in which nine children and teenagers were killed and more than thirty were wounded, and is preparing a harsh response, said Israeli Prime Minister's advisor Dmitry Gendelman, TASS reported.

„This is a serious escalation, aggression by the terrorist organization Hezbollah, and Israel's response will be very harsh.

We will take all necessary measures to restore security on the northern border. Lebanon and the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah are responsible for the aggression and its consequences.

The victims resulted from shelling of the village of Majdal Shams. A rocket fired by Hezbollah hit children playing on a playground,“ Gendelman wrote on Telegram.

Hezbollah denied firing any rockets toward the village, according to a statement from the group carried by Al Jadeed television.

„We are not responsible for the rocket fire on Majdal Shams. The fighters of the Islamic Resistance have nothing to do with this shelling,“ the statement said.

In a bulletin published on Telegram, Hezbollah stated that its units attacked the Golan Heights on Saturday afternoon, targeting an artillery base in Zaour and one of the barracks of the 801st Reserve Brigade in Maale Golani.

The bulletin stated that the attacks achieved direct hits, causing casualties among enemy soldiers and destroying combat equipment.