White House says Israel has ‘right to respond’ to attack on occupied Golan Heights

Jul 30 (EUROPA PRESS) –

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said Monday that Israel “has the right to respond” to the attack attributed to the Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah, although denied by them, which left twelve children and teenagers dead in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, in the occupied Golan Heights.

“Our support for Israel’s security remains steadfast, and is unwavering against all Iranian-backed threats, including those from Hezbollah. No nation can be expected to tolerate the kind of grave threats that Israelis face,” he told reporters.

He also reiterated his condemnation of the attack and blamed the Islamist group for it “despite their denials.” “It is their rocket, it was launched from an area they control,” he added, according to .

Kirby also expressed his support for a “diplomatic solution” between the two sides that would put an end “to these terrible attacks once and for all” and allow “Israeli and Lebanese citizens on both sides of the border to return safely to their homes.”

He also called concerns about the possibility of an expansion of the conflict “exaggerated” at a time when Israel is threatening to carry out a ground operation in Lebanon.

Indeed, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Monday for the reoccupation of southern Lebanon and the destruction of Hezbollah through war in order to “restore the security of residents in the north” of the country. A few hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a “harsh” response against Hezbollah during his visit to Majdal Shams, where he was booed.

Hundreds of people gathered in Majdal Shams on Monday to attend the funeral of one of the minors, a day after ten others were buried on Sunday. The victims were aged between 10 and 16 and were playing football on a pitch in the town when the attack took place, which also left dozens injured.