Israel’s defense minister visits relatives of Golan Heights attack victims

Hundreds of people attend the funeral of one of the minors killed in the attack attributed to Hezbollah

Jul 29. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday visited the families of the victims killed in Saturday’s rocket attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, which is blamed on the Lebanese militia-party Hezbollah.

“For me, there is no difference between a Jewish child killed in southern Israel on October 7 and a Druze child killed in the Golan Heights. It’s the same thing, they are our children,” Gallant said in a statement to the families of the 12 children and teenagers killed.

“We will do everything possible to restore security and allow life to continue as it should. Hezbollah will pay a price for this – our actions will speak for themselves,” he said, according to The Times of Israel.

His comments come after the Israeli Cabinet gave the go-ahead to Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take “appropriate” measures when the time comes to decide how to respond to the weekend attack.

Hundreds of people gathered in Majdel Shams on Monday to attend the funeral of one of the minors, although another ten were buried on Sunday. The victims were between 10 and 16 years old and were playing football on a field in the town when the attack took place, which also left dozens injured.

The Israeli military has claimed that the rocket was fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran. It has claimed that it was an Iranian-made projectile with a 50-kilogram warhead, although Hezbollah has denied being behind the attack.

Since the start of the Israeli offensive, there have been clashes between the two sides on the border between Lebanon and Israel. The Shiite militia party claims to be attacking Israel in support of the Palestinian cause and the Hamas armed group.

On Sunday, relatives of the victims criticised the visit of several senior government officials to the area and accused the Israeli authorities of having neglected the situation during the ten-month offensive.