Thousands gather to mourn victims of Golan Heights rocket attack

On Sunday, thousands of mourners attended the funerals of children and young people who lost their lives in a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Druze community in Majdal Shams was seen grieving deeply, carrying the caskets through the streets, with some expressing their anger at attending government officials, according to Israeli media.

Israel has accused the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah of being responsible for the attack that resulted in 12 fatalities. Hezbollah has strongly denied involvement.

In response to the incident, world leaders have issued condemnations and are working to de-escalate tensions, concerned that the attack could potentially lead to a larger conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

In retaliation for Saturday’s attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon overnight. In response, Hezbollah struck two Israeli military bases on Sunday.


The exchange of fire between the two sides has intensified since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, which led to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The rocket attack on Saturday marked the deadliest incident along Israel’s northern border since October.

The strike targeted a football pitch in Majdal Shams, one of four towns in the Golan Heights where about 25,000 Druze people reside. According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, 10 of the 12 victims were aged between 10 and 16, while the ages of the remaining two victims have not been disclosed.


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been in the US, cut his trip short and returned to Israel on Sunday. He vowed that Hezbollah would "pay a heavy price" and planned to meet with his military leaders to assess the situation and finalize operational plans.

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attack but claimed responsibility for four other attacks on Saturday, including one on a military base about 3 kilometers (2 miles) away.


At the funeral in Majdal Shams on Sunday, mourners were seen carrying 10 caskets draped in white through the crowded streets, with men in traditional red-topped white hats and women in black abaya robes laying flowers on the caskets and holding up large photos of the deceased children. Fadi Mahmud, 48, expressed to AFP that the community had never faced such a profound loss during the conflict, emphasizing the close-knit nature of their village.

The community’s anger was palpable at the funeral, with some directing their frustration at Israeli government officials who had attended. A man in military uniform reportedly shouted at Housing Minister Nir Barkat and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, saying, “Now you come here? Ten months you didn’t come!” His remarks were met with applause. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also faced criticism, with some yelling, “We’re tired of your promises!” A video on social media showed hecklers surrounding Smotrich, cursing and chanting, “We don’t want him!”

Israeli media reported that a Druze community leader had previously requested that government ministers not attend the funeral to avoid politicizing the tragedy.

The Druze are an Arabic-speaking ethnic group residing in Lebanon, Syria, the Golan Heights, and northern Israel. In Israel, they enjoy full citizenship rights and make up about 1.5% of the population. However, many Druze in the Golan Heights remain loyal to Syria. While they can study and work in Israel, only those with citizenship have the right to vote and serve in the army.

Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria in 1981 is not recognized by the majority of the international community.

Following the recent attack, global leaders issued statements urging caution to prevent further escalation, though opinions on the attacker varied. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the strike in the Golan Heights, which resulted in at least 12 deaths, and called for Hezbollah to halt their attacks. He expressed deep concern about the potential for increased instability.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that there are strong indications Hezbollah was behind the rocket attack but emphasized that the US does not want the conflict to spread.

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib told the BBC that while he doubts Hezbollah, known for targeting military sites rather than civilians, was responsible, it is possible there could have been an error by either Hezbollah or the Israelis. The Lebanese government condemned the violence and called for a ceasefire on all fronts.