Deadly Rocket Attack Escalates Tensions in Israeli-Occupied Golan Heights

A rocket attack on a football field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 11 people, including children. Israel blamed Hezbollah, which denied responsibility. The incident marks the deadliest in the region since the Gaza conflict began and has heightened fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.

A rocket attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including children, on Saturday, according to Israeli authorities. The government attributed the assault to Hezbollah and vowed to retaliate against the Iran-backed Lebanese group.

Hezbollah, however, denied any involvement in the strike, which is the deadliest attack in Israel or its annexed territories since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The group's written statement read: 'The Islamic Resistance has absolutely nothing to do with the incident, and categorically denies all false allegations in this regard.'

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced he would expedite his return from the United States to convene a security cabinet meeting. His coalition partner, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, called for severe retaliation, including action against Hezbollah's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon are in contact with both nations to maintain calm and understand the incident's details.

(With inputs from agencies.)