Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ political leader, and his bodyguard were assassinated by an IED explosion in Tehran, according to Iranian state media yesterday. The IRGC blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered ministers not to comment when news broke. The IDF is on high alert and prepared for Hezbollah drone attacks. The Israeli Home Front Command published instructions for citizens.
Haniyeh’s death came 24 hours after the IDF eliminated Fouad Shukr, the highest-ranking military commander of Hezbollah, on Tuesday night.
Netanyahu vowed to make the terror group pay a “heavy price” for the rocket attack from Lebanon that killed 12 children playing in a football field in Majdal Shams from the Druze community in the Golan Heights on Saturday night.
Defense Minister Yaov Gallant said Hezbollah crossed a ‘red line’ that also injured 40 people.
The IDF completed precision strikes on Hezbollah targets inside southern Lebanon prior to the targeted killing of Shukr.
Shukr, also known as Sayyed Makhsan, was head of the organisation’s strategic division, and number two to Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.
Shukr, who joined Hezbollah in 1985 and held senior positions within the organisation, had managed Hezbollah’s combat operations against Israel since October 8.
“He was responsible for the murder of children in Majdal Shams and the deaths of many Israeli and foreign civilians over the years,” the IDF said in a statement. “As the head of Hezbollah’s strategic division, he oversaw the organisation’s most advanced weaponry, including precision missiles, cruise missiles, shore-to-sea missiles, long-range rockets, and unmanned aerial vehicles. He was also responsible for planning and executing all of Hezbollah’s terrorist plots against Israel.”
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of 11 youngsters on Sunday. The remains of a twelfth victim has not been found.
Local sirens were heard seconds before the strike leaving no chance to reach bomb shelters. Paramedics attended to relatives of victims who collapsed with grief. Many spoke of heartbreaking scenes.
Arabic-speaking social workers are supporting families and witnesses.
World leaders called for restraint and de-escalation to avoid all-out war in the region.
In the aftermath the US Embassy in Beirut called for US nationals to leave Lebanon. Anyone staying should prepare for a prolonged stay in current locations.
Eurowings, AirFrance, Transavia and SwissAir cancelled all flights to and from Beirut to at least Monday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Washington early.
Israeli’s security cabinet authorised Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on the “manner and timing” of Israel’s retaliation.
After the meeting Israel’s leader visited the site of the tragedy with ISA Director Ronen Bar.
Netanyahu, who laid a wreath at the site and met with bereaved families, was briefed by Majdal Shams Council Chairman Dolan Abu Saleh and Ein Kiniye Council Chairman Wael Mugrabi.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” he said. “Like all citizens of Israel and many people across the world, we were profoundly shocked by this terrible killing. Our response will come and it will be severe.”
Defense Minister Galant also visited families, stating: “Hezbollah will pay for all of its crimes. Our actions will be louder than any words.”
Victims named were Fajr Laith Abu Saleh (16), Ameer Rabeea Abu Saleh (16), Hazem Akram Abu Saleh (15), John Wadeea Ibrahim (13), Iseel Nasha’at Ayoub (12), Finis Adham Safadi (11), Yazan Nayeif Abu Saleh (12), Alma Ayman Fakhr al-Din (11), Naji Taher al-Halabi (11), Milad Muadad al-Sha’ar (10).
Nathem Fakher Saeb was laid to rest in Ein Kinia.
Druze community spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif condemned the attack. “The sight of the children’s shattered bodies strewn across the grass is indescribable,” he said. “A civilised country cannot allow the continuous harm to its citizens and residents. This has been the reality for nine months in the northern communities. Tonight, it crossed every possible red line.”
UN National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: “Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad and unwavering against all Iran-backed threats, including Hezbollah.”
Watson added: “We have been in continuous discussions with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts. This attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control. It should be universally condemned.”
President Isaac Herzog condemned Hezbollah, stating: “There are no words that can comfort the families of the young victims who lost their lives. Hezbollah, armed and funded by Iran, does not distinguish between child or adult, soldier or civilian, Jew or Muslim, Druze or Christian.” He added: “The world cannot continue to sit in silence in the face of Nasrallah’s terror attacks, which come at the behest of the empire of evil in Iran. The State of Israel will firmly defend its citizens and sovereignty.”
Foreign Minister Israel Katz commented: “We are approaching the moment of full-scale war with Hezbollah and Lebanon. We will pay a price on both the front and the home front, but by the end of the war, Nasrallah and Hezbollah will be crushed, and Lebanon will suffer severely.”
IDF spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed the media, condemning Hezbollah for firing the rocket from Lebanon then denying the attack.
He said: “Our intelligence is clear. Hezbollah is responsible for the murder of innocent children.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said, “We’re going to hit Hezbollah hard. We are significantly increasing our readiness for the next stage of fighting in the north, while simultaneously engaged in combat in Gaza. We know how to strike even very far from the State of Israel. There will be more challenges, and we will elevate our preparedness. When necessary, we will act decisively.”
UN coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro called for civilians to be protected and maximum restraint. “It could ignite a wider conflagration that would engulf the entire region in a catastrophe beyond belief,” they said in a statement.
