Majdal Shams attack

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Majdal Shams attack
Part of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
Majdal Shams attack, July 2024, II.jpeg
The missile impact site on the soccer field after the casualties, both deceased and wounded, were removed
Golan location map 2.PNG
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Israel outline northeast.png
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Location within the Golan
Location Majdal Shams, Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
Coordinates 33°15′58.4″N35°46′05.9″E / 33.266222°N 35.768306°E / 33.266222; 35.768306
Date27 July 2024
6:18 pm (UTC+02:00)
Attack type
Rocket attack
Deaths12 Syrian children and young adults
InjuredAt least 42
PerpetratorInfoboxHez.PNG Hezbollah (according to Israel and the USA)

The Majdal Shams attack, also known as the Majdal Shams massacre, [1] [2] took place on 27 July 2024, when a rocket hit a football pitch in Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights of Syria. [lower-alpha 1] The resulting blast killed 12 Syrian children and young adults belonging to the Druze community [3] [4] [5] and injured at least 42 others, [6] [7] with most of the victims being between the ages of 10 and 16. [6] [3]

Contents

Israel blamed Hezbollah for carrying out the attack with an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket equipped with a 53-kilogram warhead. [6] [8] Hezbollah said it had targeted a nearby military base and that the football pitch was hit by an errant Israeli Iron Dome air defence projectile. Western sources dismissed this claim, citing expert opinion that the rocket had been fired by Hezbollah or another militant group in Lebanon. [8] [9] [10] [3] [11]

Local authorities denied that the children were Israeli, [3] and local residents protested the attendance of Israeli ministers at the funeral for reasons ranging from opposition to politicization of the tragedy to anger at the government's perceived neglect of their safety. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

The attack occurred amid broader regional tensions as Hezbollah began launching rockets at northern Israel and the Golan Heights following the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war, sparking a renewed Israel–Hezbollah conflict. Since October 2023, 90,000 Lebanese civilians and 60,000 Israeli civilians have been displaced. [17] [18]

Background

Following the 7 October attack, Hezbollah joined the conflict the next day, launching guided rockets and drone attacks at Israeli communities and military installations in Galilee and the Golan Heights. This Israel–Hezbollah conflict has displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon, with significant damage to buildings and land along the border. As of 5 July 2024, Israel reports having killed approximately 366 Hezbollah operatives with over 100 Lebanese civilians confirmed killed. According to the UN, over 90,000 people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes, while in Israel, 60,000 civilians have evacuated. [19] Israel and Hezbollah have maintained their attacks at a level that causes significant harm without escalating into a full-scale war. [20] From 7 October 2023 to 21 June 2024, Israel attacked Lebanon 6,124 times. Hezbollah and other Lebanese forces attacked Israel 1,258 times. [21]

Hezbollah employed advanced Iranian-origin missiles, including the Falaq-1 rocket system, in its attacks against Israel. [22] Following a similar attack in June which injured civilians on a soccer field in the Druze town of Hurfeish, Israel said it targeted military sites deep within Lebanon in response. [20]

Attack

Hours before the attack, a series of rocket attacks were launched at Israel from Lebanese territory. [23] At 6:18 pm, alarms sounded in Majdal Shams. [24] A projectile then hit and exploded at a soccer field in the town, located near a playground. According to initial reports, eleven people were wounded, with five in critical condition and six in serious condition. [24] [25] Emergency services, including Magen David Adom (MDA), treated the critically injured, aged between 10 and 20, some of whom were transferred to local clinics. A senior MDA paramedic described the scene as one of destruction with victims lying on the grass. [26] [25]

According to residents, the children were playing soccer during the attack and while the warning siren activated, it was only a few seconds before the rocket hit the field leaving no time to seek shelter. [27]

Before the impact on the field was reported, Hezbollah took credit for multiple attacks including one with a Falaq-type rocket on the military headquarters of the Hermon Brigade, which was 3 km from the football pitch. [6] [28] A senior Hezbollah official, Mohammad Afif, later said that the group was not responsible for the attack on Majdal Shams. [7] [25]

The IDF stated that they had performed an assessment and concluded that Hezbollah was responsible for the rocket attack. [29] IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the type of rocket used was an Iranian-made Falaq-1, [30] carrying a 50 kg warhead, which has previously been used by Hezbollah, the only Iranian proxy to possess it. [31] The Israeli army posted pictures of Falaq-1 shrapnel that it said was found at the scene of the attack, but with no apparent pictures of the shrapnel in situ at the blast site. [32]

Hezbollah has issued denials that they were responsible for the strike, [10] instead stating it was caused by an Israeli Iron Dome projectile in the course of countering Hezbollah rocket fire aiming for Israeli military sites. [33] Iranian and Qatari state media claimed there were reports that an Iron Dome interceptor was to blame. [34] [35] [36] Additionally, Al-Mayadeen , a Lebanese outlet with close ties to Hezbollah, stated that the blast site was inconsistent with a Falaq-1, which it said would have left a larger impact crater. [32] Following the report by Al-Mayadeen, the Israeli government subsequently voted to ban Al-Mayadeen from operating inside Israel. [37]

According to US intelligence, there were no doubts that Hezbollah was responsible but it was not certain if Hezbollah intentionally targeted the site or misfired. [27]

Israeli authorities have characterized it as the deadliest attack on their civilians since the 7 October attacks. [38] Israeli Police and Northern District detectives secured the crash site to eliminate any further risk to the public and conducted a search for additional remains. [39]

Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, said the rocket attack was launched by Ali Muhammad Yahya, who is a commander at a rocket launching site in Chebaa. [40] [41]

Victims

A funeral of the deceased a day after the attack Children's funeral in Majdal Shams.png
A funeral of the deceased a day after the attack

Twelve people, ranging in age between ten and twenty years old, were killed in the attack. Approximately twenty more were injured. [42]

None of the victims had Israeli citizenship, as most Druze in the Golan Heights have rejected Israeli citizenship and identify as Syrian. [3]

Analysis

Daniel Sobelman from Harvard Kennedy School highlighted that the strike was "the most serious in Israel in nine months of fighting between the country and militants in Lebanon." [20] The Associated Press described the civilian death toll as the highest in Israel since Hamas’ October 7 attack, and that it was unclear what Hezbollah, who made a rare denial of the attack, would have gained from attacking Druze in Golan who see themselves as Syrian citizens, as it would hurt their influence in Lebanon. [8]

The Associated Press reported that rocket sirens sounded less than a minute before the explosion, which left a crater 2 meters wide and sprayed irregularly-shaped shrapnel inconsistent with a malfunctioning air defense missile. Its reporters found no ordinance debris at the site, and were unable to verify the provenance of rocket fragments in images released by Israel. Weapons experts consulted by the Associated Press said the evidence suggests a rocket from Lebanon struck the field. Richard Weir from Human Rights Watch noted that the damage is "consistent with that of a rocket artillery of the type and size of the Falaq", an Iranian-made rocket used by Hezbollah, adding it could have been a missile that overshot its target Israeli military position on Mount Hermon, either due to human error or mechanical fault. Chris Cobb-Smith observed that the shape of the crater and the damage direction imply the rocket came from the north. He also stated that it was impossible to prove who was responsible without independent verification of the weapon's remains. [8]

Dr. Abed Kanaaneh, from the Moshe Dayan Center said: "The occupied Golan Heights were targeted by Hezbollah that day with 100 rockets, so it is plausible that one of them hit the village of Majdal Shams. The Druze were, of course, not the target, but one of these missiles could have missed its shot and caused the catastrophe." [43]

Aftermath

Following the attack, Israel's military stated that it had launched strikes against Hezbollah weapon storage and infrastructure in Lebanon, specifically in the areas of Chabriha, Borj Ech Chemali, Beqaa, Kafr Kila, Khiam, Rab El Thalathine, and Tayr Harfa. [44] [45] The IDF also said that it struck the launch site of the projectile with artillery. [46]

28 July

On 28 July, Lebanon's foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, said that the Lebanese government had requested that the US urge Israel to show restraint, and added that the US had also asked Lebanon to relay a message to Hezbollah to exercise restraint. [47] Hezbollah, reported to be on high alert, preemptively evacuated key sites in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley in anticipation of a possible Israeli response. [48]

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, at the soccer field in Majdal Shams, meeting with Druze community leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, local council representatives, and senior IDF officers Majdal Shams attack, July 2024, XIV.jpg
IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, at the soccer field in Majdal Shams, meeting with Druze community leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, local council representatives, and senior IDF officers

The IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, visited Majdal Shams to assess the situation and discuss with Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the leader of the Druze community in Israel. [49]

A spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that the situation could be resolved without broader conflict if Hezbollah complied with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was intended to end the 2006 Lebanon War and required that they withdraw behind the Litani River. [50]

Over 300,000 shekels were raised on Sunday by 2,065 people for families in Majdal Shams who lost children in a rocket attack. [51] Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who came to visit the site of the attack, was berated by local residents who called him a "criminal" and a "murderer". [52] Some Druze residents of the Golan Heights called on Israel to take decisive action against Hezbollah. [53] [54] [55]

29 July

Wreaths left at the site of the attack, 29 July 2024. Majdal Shams 29 July 2024 after the attack 28 - Place of the attack.jpg
Wreaths left at the site of the attack, 29 July 2024.

On 29 July, local residents issued a statement were they rejected any retaliation. [56]

Israeli authorities confirmed the death of 11-year-old Jivara Ibrahim Ibrahim, the 12th victim of the attack. Ibrahim had been missing for over 24 hours following the attack, and his death was confirmed through DNA testing of evidence from the scene. His family and local residents had been searching for him and providing DNA samples to hospitals. [57]

Flights to and from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport faced significant cancellations and delays. Major airlines, including Air France, Lufthansa, and Swiss, suspended flights due to security concerns. The rocket strike has heightened fears of a broader conflict, as Hezbollah denied responsibility. Beirut airport's operations were further affected by insurance-related issues and increased cross-border hostilities. [58]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site of the attack and was met with 200 protestors yelling "He is the enemy of all of us" and "murderer". Some of the protestors held up signs calling Netanyahu a "war criminal". A viral post titled "All Eyes on Majdal Shams" depicted children in a soccer field through an AI-generated image, similar to the "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign. The image was shared by Israeli Jews and Arabs. [59] [60]

Germany and Norway have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon, while the US and Denmark have reiterated their recommendations against travel to the country. [61]

30 July

A Hezbollah rocket attack killed one Israeli citizen in kibbutz HaGoshrim and wounded three more. [62]

On the evening of 30 July Israel retaliated with a UAV strike on Beirut, targeting Fuad Shukr (also known as Al-Hajj Mohsen), a senior adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel also killed 3 civilians, including two children, and wounded 80 others in the attack. [63] [64] Shukr was previously named by the IDF as a commander of the group's precision missile project. He was also wanted by the United States for his involvement in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings. [65]

The Jewish Agency for Israel, Jewish Federations of North America, and Keren Hayesod announced an emergency aid donation of 600,000 NIS to Majdal Shams on 31 July, stating, "We see the Druze community as family." [66]

In the Quneitra Governorate, in southern Syria, a funeral gathering was held for the victims of the attack. [67]

Reactions

Israel

Lebanon

Syria

Druze communities

The attack provoked widespread outrage among Druze in Israel, Lebanon and Syria. [75]

Golan Heights

The Druze community in the Golan Heights sent a letter to the Israeli government asking that no government ministers attend the funeral. [12] The funeral was kept non-political, with no national flags, and a Druze resident stated "Many Druze feel angry and do not want to be fuel in this war for any side". [76] A local paramedic stated "for sure, it was not targeting Majdal Shams. There are many Israeli military bases around the town. I expect this threat was heading their way". [8]

In Majdal Shams, some residents urged immediate and severe retaliation from Israeli authorities, and called for decisive action against Hezbollah. [53] [54] [55] [16] Other reports stated the local Druze rejected retaliation and Israel's attempt to politicize the tragedy. [13]

The people of Majdals Shams issued a statements where they said: "The Golan rejects any official incitement and the attempt to exploit the name of Majdal Shams as a political platform at the expense of our children’s blood," - "We reject the shedding of a single drop of blood under the pretext of avenging our children." [56]

Israel

Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, condemned the attack, stating: "We are in great shock from the horrific massacre in the Druze village, an atrocious and murderous terrorist attack that struck innocent children playing soccer. The sight of the children's shattered bodies strewn across the grass is indescribable." He further stated, "a civilized country cannot allow the continuous harm to its citizens and residents." [29]

Lebanon

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt slammed Israeli "lies" and "crocodile tears over the Druze Arabs". [77] He also issued condolences to the affected families and "to the entire population of the occupied Syrian Golan." [71]

Some Lebanese Druze activists condemned the Majdal Shams massacre, expressing profound grief and intensifying their opposition to Hezbollah. They criticized political leaders for perceived alliances with the group and stressed the need for unity among Druze communities across the region. [78]

Syria

20 people protested in Syrian Druze city of as-Suwayda against Hezbollah, shouting: "Listen, motherland. May God bless our people in the occupied Golan. We can afford to be silent when children sleep quietly, but when they die in a treacherous bombing delivered by the party of the devil, we must raise our voices against the gang that rules here." [79]

Worldwide

Governments

  • Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated strong condemnation for "the cowardly attack by Hezbollah" and solidarity with Israel and support for Israel's right to legitimate defense; while pointing the 30th anniversary of the AMIA bombing in Argentina which was also reportedly perpetrated by Hezbollah, to once again reiterate its strongest condemnation of all forms of terrorism. [80]
  • Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada: Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims' families and the Druze community. She also worried about an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and demanded that Iran and its proxies avoid further destabilizing the region. [81] Joly released a statement on X holding Hezbollah responsible for the attack. [82]
  • Flag of Europe.svg  European Union: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said: "I strongly condemn this bloodbath. We need an independent international investigation into this unacceptable incident. We urge all parties to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation." He also described "shocking images from the soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams." [83]
  • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the attack, expressed concern about an escalation of the conflict and called on Hezbollah to cease its attacks. [84]
  • Flag of the United States.svg  United States: The US condemned the attack and reaffirmed its support for Israel against Hezbollah. [85] It also voiced concerns that it could spark an escalation of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict. [86] Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said: "Every indication is that indeed the rocket was from Hezbollah. We stand by Israel's right to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks." [87]

Media

Gideon Levy, writing for Haaretz , criticized the lack of shock in Israeli media and the IDF over the deaths of thousands of children in Gaza since 7 October. He highlighted the quick labeling of children killed in Majdal Shams as "murdered Israelis," even though not all were Israeli citizens, contrasting it with the silence over Gaza's casualties. [88]

According to an analysis by The Jerusalem Post , Hezbollah and Lebanese officials are attempting to distance themselves from responsibility for the Majdal Shams massacre, despite growing evidence linking Hezbollah to the attack. Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah representatives have issued denials and spread misinformation to avoid backlash, with claims ranging from blaming Israeli anti-rocket interceptors to outright rejecting involvement. These actions are aimed at preventing further conflict and mitigating the negative impact on Hezbollah's image, particularly in light of the group's history of targeting civilians and the potential for unrest among the Druze community in Lebanon and Syria. [2]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Israel captured the territory from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day war and later annexed it. Most of the international community consider the territory part of Syria occupied by Israel, though this is disputed by Israel and the United States.

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References

  1. 1 2 "'Shredded to pieces': Druze community grieves after Hezbollah strike kills 12 children". The Times of Israel . 28 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 Frantzman, Seth J. (28 July 2024). "Lebanon, Hezbollah run from responsibility for Majdal Shams massacre - analysis". The Jerusalem Post . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Picheta, Rob; Schwartz, Michael; Nicholls, Catherine; Mezzofiore, Gianluca; Brown, Benjamin; Diamond, Jeremy; Salman, Abeer (29 July 2024). "Israel says Hezbollah will 'pay the price' after blaming it for attack on soccer field that killed 12 children". CNN News . Most Druze there identify as Syrian and have rejected offers of Israeli citizenship. The Regional Council of Majdal Shams said Sunday that none of the 12 children killed had Israeli citizenship.
  4. ↑ Bulos, Nabih (30 July 2024). "Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander in Beirut strike". Los Angeles Times . a rocket attack over the weekend . . that killed a dozen Syrian children and young adults in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
  5. ↑ Muaddi, Qassam (30 July 2024). "Who are the Syrian Druze of Majdal Shams?". Mondoweiss . Retrieved 4 August 2024. Netanyahu spoke to the media, condemning the attack that killed 'Israeli citizens,' referring to the deceased as 'our children.' But contrary to Netanyahu's attempt to portray the attack as an attack on Israel, he and Smotrich were met with indignation by hundreds of angry mourners who kicked the politicians out, calling them 'murderers' and other expletives on their way out. Across international mainstream media, the people of Majdal Shams have been referred to as everything from 'Druze Arabs,' to 'Druze Israelis,' and their town has been referenced both by the media and by Israeli politicians as just another 'Israeli' town. Similar to Netanyahu's reference to 'our children,' these titles and designations obscure the national identity of the Druze people who live in the occupied Golan Heights and their political reality. Saturday's killing of the 12 Syrian children in the Golan . . .
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  9. ↑ Lewis, Simon. "US blames Hezbollah for Golan Heights attack, says it doesn't want escalation". Reuters.
  10. 1 2 "Bowen: Golan attack leaves border war's unspoken rules in tatters". BBC News .
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  13. 1 2 "Druze in Golan reject retaliation, Israel's attempt to 'politicize' tragedy". Naharnet. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Lonsdorf, Kat (29 July 2024). "As the Druze in the Golan Height mourn, they question their relationship with Israel". NPR .
  15. ↑ Brake, Salim (1 August 2024). "Opinion | An Israeli War of Vengeance in Lebanon? Not in the Druze Community's Name". Haaretz .
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  17. ↑ Sewell, Abby (3 November 2023). "Lebanon's militant Hezbollah leader threatens escalation with Israel as its war with Hamas rages on". Associated Press . Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  18. ↑ Levine, Heidi; Pannett, Rachel; Masih, Niha; Fahim, Kareem (28 July 2024). "IDF strikes deep in Lebanon after rocket attack, stoking fear of wider war". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  19. ↑ "Israel-Hezbollah: Mapping the scale of damage of cross-border attacks". BBC News . Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 Keller-Lynn, Carrie (27 July 2024). "Deadly Rocket Strike on Soccer Field Raises Risk of Escalation with Hezbollah". The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  21. ↑ "At least 12 killed in rocket attack in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights". Al Jazeera . 27 July 2024. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024.
  22. ↑ Ari, Lior Ben (28 January 2024). "'Falaq-1', ATGM: Hezbollah uses new guided anti-tank weaponry, missiles on northern border". Ynetnews . Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  23. ↑ Michaelson, Ruth. "Israel strikes Lebanon as diplomats try to prevent regional war". The Guardian . Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  24. 1 2 "Eleven wounded in rocket fire in Majdal Shams area following barrage to north, MDA reports". The Jerusalem Post . 27 July 2024. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  25. 1 2 3 Izso, Lauren; Nicholls, Catherine (27 July 2024). "At least 11 people injured after projectiles reportedly fired from Lebanon into Israel". CNN . Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  26. ↑ "9 children and teenagers dead from a direct hit on football field in northern Israel". Israel Hayom . 27 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  27. 1 2 Goldenberg, Tia; Mroue, Bassem (27 July 2024). "Strike on Israeli Golan Heights kills 11 and threatens to spark a wider war. Hezbollah denies a role". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  28. ↑ "Golan Heights: Children dead in attack on football pitch in Israeli-occupied territory". BBC News . Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  29. 1 2 3 Zitun, Yoav; Halabi, Einav (27 July 2024). "Hezbollah rocket kills 10 children, injures at least 24 in Majdal Shams". Ynetnews . Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  30. ↑ Fabian, Emmanuel (27 July 2024). "IDF spokesman: Majdal Shams death toll risen to 12, Hezbollah used Iranian-made rocket". The Times of Israel . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  31. ↑ Zitun, Yoav; Kraus, Yair (28 July 2024). "IDF strikes Lebanon| Hezbollah fires Iranian Falaq-1 missile". Ynetnews . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  32. 1 2 "Golan Heights attack: The claims and counterclaims on Majdal Shams strike". Middle East Eye . 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  33. ↑ Michaelson, Ruth (28 July 2024). "Israel strikes Lebanon as diplomats try to prevent regional war". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  34. ↑ "Hezbollah denies Israeli allegations of targeting Majdal Sham". en.mehrnews.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  35. ↑ "Hezbollah denies involvement in Israeli-occupied Golan attack". en.irna.ir. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  36. ↑ "Pro-Iranian, Qatari outlets fail in attempts to blame Israel for Hezbollah massacre". The Jerusalem Post . 28 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  37. ↑ "Government approves proposal to block Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen news" . Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  38. 1 2 Kottasová, Ivana; Kourdi, Eyad; Izso, Lauren; Salman, Abeer; Nicholls, Catherine; Raine, Andrew (27 July 2024). "At least 10 dead including children as Israel blames Hezbollah for rocket attack in Golan Heights". CNN . Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  39. ↑ "Nine children killed in rocket fire in Majdal Shams, Hezbollah denies responsibility". The Jerusalem Post . 27 July 2024. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  40. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel (28 July 2024). "IDF's Arabic spokesman names Hezbollah commander responsible for Majdal Shams attack". The Times of Israel . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  41. ↑ "Israel hits Hezbollah targets after football pitch strike kills 12 young people". BBC News . Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  42. ↑ Rasgon, Adam; Boxerman, Aaron (27 July 2024). "At Least 12 Killed in Rocket Attack From Lebanon in Golan Heights". The New York Times . Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  43. ↑ Valente, Giorgia (1 August 2024). "'The Druze are going nowhere, regardless of cost,' IDF colonels tell TML". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  44. ↑ Rowlands, Lyndal; Rasheed, Zaheena (28 July 2024). "Israel military says it attacked Hezbollah sites overnight". Al Jazeera . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  45. ↑ Pannett, Rachel (28 July 2024). "IDF announces strikes deep in Lebanon after Golan Heights attack". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  46. ↑ "IDF artillery fires at location from which rocket was launched at Majdal Shams". The Jerusalem Post . 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  47. ↑ "Lebanon says it asked US to urge restraint from Israel after Golan deaths". Al-Arabiya News . 28 July 2024.
  48. ↑ "Hezbollah on High Alert, Lebanon Asks US to Urge Restraint from Israel". Asharq Al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  49. ↑ "IDF chief of staff: Israel raising readiness to 'next level,' prepared to strike". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  50. ↑ "Nach Raketenangriff mit 12 toten Kindern und Jugendlichen: Israel greift Hisbollah an – Sorge vor größerem Krieg wächst" [After rocket attack with 12 dead children and teenagers: Israel attacks Hezbollah – fear of larger war grows]. Der Tagesspiegel (in German). Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  51. ↑ More than NIS 300,000 donated to bereaved Majdal Shams families
  52. ↑ Fisher, Aaron (28 July 2024). "'You criminal, you murderer': Residents berate Israeli official at site of deadly rocket attack". CNN .
  53. 1 2 ""תגובה חריפה פי עשר מיידית": במג'דל שמס מחכים לתקיפת הנקמה של ישראל" ["An immediate tenfold sharper response": in Majdal Shams they are waiting for Israel's revenge attack]. www.maariv.co.il (in Hebrew). 28 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  54. 1 2 Keren, Yoav (28 July 2024). ""זה היה יכול להיות הילד שלי": במג'דל שמס מתאבלים, ודורשים תגובה נחרצת" ["It could have been my child": in Majdal Shams they mourn, and demand a firm response]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  55. 1 2 "במג'דל שמס קוראים: אם לא תגנו עלינו, נדע להגן על עצמנו" [In Majdal Shams they read: If you don't protect us, we will know how to protect ourselves]. Kan (in Hebrew). 29 July 2024.
  56. 1 2 Helm, Thomas (30 July 2024). "Majdal Shams residents appeal for peace after deadly Golan Heights strike". The National. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  57. ↑ Amun, Fadi (29 July 2024). "11-year-old Druze Boy Identified as 12th Victim of Hezbollah Rocket Attack". The Times of Israel .
  58. ↑ Barrington, Lisa (29 July 2024). "Beirut flights cancelled or delayed amid fears of Israeli attack". Reuters .
  59. ↑ Zbeedat, Nagham (29 July 2024). "Reactions to Majdal Shams Tragedy Show Arab Confusion About the Druze in Israel". Haaretz . Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  60. ↑ Berman, Lazar (29 July 2024). "Netanyahu met by angry crowd on visit to site of deadly rocket strike in Majdal Shams". The Times of Israel . Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  61. ↑ "Beirut flights nixed or delayed as Lebanon girds for Israeli reprisal for Golan strike". The Times of Israel . 29 July 2024.
  62. ↑ Kraus, Yair; Zitun, Yoav; Ari, Lior Ben (30 July 2024). "One killed in Hezbollah rocket strike on Galilee". Ynetnews . Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  63. ↑ "Three assassinations later, how has Israel targeted its enemies?". ABC News . 2 August 2024.
  64. ↑ "Lebanon Says 3 Dead, 74 Injured In Israeli Strike On South Beirut". Barron's . Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  65. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel (30 July 2024). "Targeted Hezbollah commander named as Fuad Shukr, head of precision missile project who is wanted by US". The Times of Israel .
  66. ↑ "'We see the Druze as family': Jewish orgs. announce emergency aid for Majdal Shams". The Jerusalem Post . 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  67. ↑ "محافظة القنيطرة تقيم مجلس عزاء لشهداء مجزرة مجدل شمس في الجولان المحتل" [Quneitra Governorate holds a condolence council for the martyrs of the Majdal Shams massacre in the occupied Golan]. Syrian Arab News Agency (in Arabic). 22 November 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
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  73. 1 2 "Arab Socialist Party condemns Israeli occupation crime in Majdal Shams". Syrian Arab News Agency. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  74. ↑ "Mikdad: UN should intervene to stop Israeli practices against people of Golan". Syrian Arab News Agency. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  75. ↑ Berg, Raffi (29 July 2024). "Israeli ministers authorise Netanyahu response to Golan attack". BBC News . Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  76. ↑ Awad, Ammar; Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (29 July 2024). "Druze in shock as war between Israel and Hezbollah strikes home". Reuters . Retrieved 30 July 2024.
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  79. ↑ Ari, Lior Ben (29 July 2024). "Syrian Druze slam Hezbollah for murderous rocket strike". Ynetnews . Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  80. ↑ "Argentina strongly condemns the cowardly attack by Hezbollah launched from Lebanon". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship – Argentine Republic. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  81. ↑ "International leaders condemn 'abhorrent' missile attack on Israeli Druze village". The Jerusalem Post . 27 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  82. ↑ Joly, Melanie [@melaniejoly] (29 July 2024). "Here is an additional statement with updated information regarding what happened yesterday at Majdal Shams" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 July 2024– via Twitter.
  83. ↑ "DC official fears all-out war as US condemns 'horrific' rocket attack on Majdal Shams". The Times of Israel . 28 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  84. ↑ "UK fears escalation after deadly attack on Golan Heights". Al Arabiya . 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
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