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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed severe retaliation against Hezbollah after a rocket strike killed 12 children in the Golan Heights, amid diplomatic efforts to prevent an Israel-Lebanon war.

 

Israel has blamed Hezbollah for the rocket that hit a football field in Majdal Shams, a predominantly Druze town. However, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the strike.

 

"The state of Israel will not and cannot overlook this. Our response will come, and it will be severe," Netanyahu said during a visit to the site.

 

However, it's feared that Israel is likely to attack Beirut and its Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs, with key infrastructure likely to be targeted.

 

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, stressing the importance of preventing escalation and seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict. 

 

On Monday, Israeli strikes targeted a motorcycle near the Lebanon border, killing two and wounding three, although these strikes were not deemed to be direct retaliation for the rocket attack. 

 

Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Guevara Ibrahim, the 12th victim, in Majdal Shams, with many protesting Netanyahu's visit, accusing him of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.

 

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also visited the town, stating, "Hezbollah will pay a price for the attack." He did not elaborate further, saying only, "We will let actions speak for themselves." Israel's military reported that Hezbollah had fired an Iranian-made Falaq rocket with a 53-kilogramme warhead.

 

Since October 7, the day after Hamas attacked southern Israel, more than 500 people, including 90 civilians, have been killed in Lebanon. 

 

On the Israeli side, 22 soldiers and 25 civilians have lost their lives. Efforts by the US and France to broker a truce have so far been unsuccessful.

 

The White House National Security Council is engaged with Israeli and Lebanese officials to find a diplomatic solution to the problem. 

 

Amos Hochstein, a senior advisor to US President Joe Biden, has been active in trying to contain the situation.

 

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati discussed the issue with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who stated, "Widening the conflict in the region is in nobody's interest."