The Israeli army confirmed that the missile attack that resulted in the deaths of 12 children and a teen in the Golan Heights occupied by Israel on Saturday warrants a response. Military spokesman Avichai Adraee stated that the attack on Majdal Shams has consequences and implications, affirming that there are several plans to retaliate against the attack, which he attributed to Hezbollah. He continued, "Only Hezbollah possesses the 'Falak 1' missile that was launched at Majdal Shams." He added, "Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into dangerous turns."
In response, Hezbollah evacuated some of its positions in southern and eastern Lebanon following Israeli threats of a "strong response" to the attack on Saturday in the Syrian Golan. Hezbollah’s presence is concentrated in the Bekaa area near the Syrian border and in southern Lebanon, where it has been exchanging shelling with Israel almost daily since the start of the war in Gaza between the Israeli army and Hamas. Hezbollah had also evacuated positions in early June after intense Israeli strikes on it in Syria, according to the observatory.
The attack on Majdal Shams prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return early from the United States, and his office stated he immediately attended a meeting of the security cabinet upon his arrival. Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office, "Israel will not let this attack go unanswered, and Hezbollah will pay a price that it has never paid before." Hezbollah denied responsibility for the missile attack on the town of Majdal Shams on Saturday.
