The potential for an all-out war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah looms large following a devastating rocket attack on a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, tragically claiming the lives of 12 children on Saturday. Israel has swiftly accused Hezbollah, asserting that the rocket was launched from Shebaa, a village situated near the western flank of Mount Hermon, overlooking Majdal Shams. However, the Iran-backed group has vehemently denied responsibility for the strike.
Israel, under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed that Hezbollah will face consequences for the attack. Israeli warplanes have launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions within Lebanese territory and along the border on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Israeli military. The rocket attack is considered the deadliest incident against Israeli or Israeli-annexed territory since the Hamas massacre on October 7th, 2023, which sparked the devastating war in Gaza.
The significance of the Golan Heights in this escalating conflict cannot be understated. This 1,200 square kilometer rocky plateau in southwestern Syria strategically overlooks Lebanon and borders Jordan. Its strategic value lies in its dominance of the route to Damascus, the Syrian capital, and its control over vital water sources that feed the Jordan River.
The Golan Heights, also known as Jawlan in Arabic, has been a source of contention between Israel and Syria for decades. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, prompting most of the Syrian Arab inhabitants to flee. Syria attempted to reclaim the Heights in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, but their efforts were unsuccessful. A ceasefire agreement signed in 1974 left most of the Golan in Israeli hands. In 1981, Israel annexed the area, enacting the Golan Heights Law that extended Israeli jurisdiction and administration to the region. The United Nations Security Council has declared Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights null and void, and Syria continues to demand its return.
In 2019, former US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights further inflamed tensions with Syria, marking a significant shift in US policy.
The Golan Heights is currently home to approximately 40,000 people, with Druze Arabs constituting over half of the population. The Druze, a unique religious and ethnic group with roots dating back to the 11th century, adhere to a belief system that blends elements of Islam, Hinduism, and classical Greek philosophy. They do not allow conversion into or out of their religion and strictly prohibit intermarriage. Historically, the Druze have maintained loyalty to the regimes of Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, over the decades. When Israel annexed the Golan, the Druze were offered Israeli citizenship, but the majority declined, continuing to identify as Syrian. Currently, over 20,000 Druze reside in the Golan Heights, sharing the land with around 25,000 Jewish Israelis dispersed across more than 30 settlements.
In 2023, the UN Human Rights Council raised concerns about Israel’s plan to double its settler population in the Golan by 2027. A UN report highlighted discriminatory policies faced by the Druze in the region regarding land and water resources. Druze leaders have also reported being treated as second-class citizens in the Golan. These reports have contributed to an increase in Druze seeking Israeli citizenship, with the number rising from 75 in 2017 to 239 in 2021.
For Israel, the Golan Heights holds significant strategic value in terms of security. The high altitude of the Golan provides Israel with vantage points deep into Syria, a country with which Israel maintains strained relations. Israel maintains that control of the Golan serves as a buffer zone between Israeli towns and Damascus. Additionally, Israel expresses concerns about Iran, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, establishing a permanent presence on the Syrian side of the border, potentially threatening Israel with attacks.
Following the 1974 ceasefire agreement, a demilitarized buffer zone of 400 square kilometers was established, barring entry to both sides. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) maintain camps and posts in the area.
The Golan Heights is also a vital source of water, home to the Banyas River, which feeds the Jordan River. In a region characterized by arid conditions, water is an essential resource. The Golan also hosts Israel’s only ski resort.
The attack on Saturday, July 27th, on a football pitch in Majdal Shams, Golan Heights, resulted in the deaths of 12 children and injuries to 30 others. Israel and the United States have asserted that intelligence indicates the attack was carried out by Hezbollah. Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the US National Security Council, stated that the rocket was launched from a Hezbollah-controlled area and should be universally condemned. Israel’s military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, echoed this sentiment, stating that intelligence confirms Hezbollah’s responsibility for the deaths of innocent children and vowing a response. Hagari further stated that the rocket, identified as a Falaq-1 Iranian rocket with a 50-kilogramme warhead, is exclusively owned by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, however, has issued a statement categorically denying responsibility for the attack, claiming no connection to the incident.
The attack has triggered a surge in tensions, with Prime Minister Netanyahu pledging retribution for the loss of life. He conveyed to the leader of the Druze community in Israel that Hezbollah will pay a hefty price, exceeding any previous consequences. Funerals for the 12 children killed in the attack were held on Sunday, casting a somber pall over the Golan. The spot where the rocket landed has been marked with a black flag, and the town of Majdal Shams is reportedly in a state of shock.
The attack has ignited fear and apprehension throughout the region, with many bracing for a potential escalation. Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut reported that both Hezbollah and Israel have denied a desire for all-out war, but both sides have also asserted readiness for such a conflict. Gideon Levy, a columnist for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, expressed concerns about the potential for uncontrolled escalation, highlighting the uncertainty and gravity of the situation. He cautioned that the coming hours will be crucial in determining the course of events.
