Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday, July 30, that it launched a retaliatory strike against a Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The Israeli military claims that the commander is responsible for killing 12 children and teens in Israeli-controlled Golan Heights as they played soccer on Saturday, July 27.
Hezbollah denies responsibility for the deadly attack, but Israel argues that Hezbollah is the only militant group in the region that possesses the type of rocket used in the strike on July 27.
The White House also said on Monday, July 29, that Hezbollah was undeniably behind the attack in Golan Heights but warned Israel against striking Beirut or major civil infrastructure in Lebanon over fears that such a move could lead to an all-out war.
Despite the warning, Israel struck inside Lebanon’s capital city on July 30. Smoke could reportedly be seen rising above buildings after the attack. The area struck by Israel forces is reportedly heavily populated and an alleged stronghold of Hezbollah.
Since the start of the war in Gaza in early October, Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group have exchanged fire across Israel’s northern border.