Israeli warning sirens in Majdal Shams came too late: Report
The Times of Israel is reporting that Israel sounded warning sirens before the deadly rocket attack in Majdal Shams, but it was too short of a notice for the victims to flee.
The newspaper quoted Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, as saying that initial investigations show rocket sirens sounded in the town “but this is an immediate alert – too short”.
Israel military says it attacked Hezbollah sites overnight
The Israeli military has just issued a statement confirming the air attacks in Lebanon.
It said its fighter jets targeted weapons depots and other Hezbollah infrastructure in Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, in Shabriha and Burj el-Shemali near the southern city of Tyre, and the villages of Kafr Lila, Rab al-Thalathine, Khiam and Tayr Harfa.
Israel bombs house in Lebanon’s Baalbek District
The latest attack came in the Baalbek District of the Baalbek-Hermel governorate, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
An Israeli drone hit a house there on the outskirts of the town of Taraya (Taraiyya) with two missiles at dawn today, and the damage was limited to material, the report said.
According to the NNA, the previous attacks came on the outskirts of the towns of Aabbassiyeh, Tayr Debba and Toura in Tyre district, targeting an open area that did not lead to any injuries.
It also launched a raid on a house in the town of Burj al-Shemali, which resulted in casualties and severe damage to property, infrastructure and houses surrounding the targeted area, the report said.
There was also a raid on Tayr Harfa town, which caused extensive damage to property and crops.
Israel-Hezbollah conflict ‘at a tipping point’
Past midnight, Israel carried out seven air strikes across southern Lebanon nearly simultaneously. This was a clear message from Israel, but it was not the expected response.
Israel promised a “harsh response” to the rocket attacks in Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed many civilians. What we witnessed overnight is the normal activity that we have seen in the past 10 months of fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli military.
The Israeli army said it targeted Hezbollah weapon depots and military structure, so we are now waiting for a response until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to Israel after cutting short his US trip.
He said he would chair a security cabinet meeting later this afternoon, but before leaving the US he said he would not remain silent and that this would not be left on the agenda.
Since I was updated about the disaster, I have been holding continuous security consultations and I have directed that our return to Israel be brought forward.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 27, 2024
Druze mourn after rocket hits occupied Golan Heights killing youth
The rocket attack on a football field in the town of Majdal Shams, occupied Golan Heights killed at least 12 people, with all the victims aged between 10 and 20. It’s the deadliest attack on an Israeli site along the country’s northern border since fighting between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah began.
Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack, with Axios, a US news outlet, reporting that the group told the UN that the incident was the result of an Israeli anti-rocket interceptor hitting the football pitch.
Members of the Druze minority hold a photo of Alma Fkhrden, 12, during her funeral in Majdal Shams
Israeli forces and medics rush casualties from the site of the rocket strike
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (centre) visits the site where the rocket fell
