Tragedy on the Soccer Pitch: 12 Children Murdered by Hezbollah Rocket in Northern Israel

Twelve children and teens were murdered by an Iranian-made Falaq-1 missile launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon yesterday evening (Saturday), which exploded on a soccer pitch where they were playing in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights in Northern Israel. Dozens of additional civilians were injured, some seriously. Among the dead are four siblings.

This attack marks yet another escalation in the attrition war Hezbollah launched against Israel nearly 10 months ago, immediately following the Hamas massacre in southern Israel on October 7th. The tragic results of this latest barrage have increased concern both in Israel and in Lebanon concerning a full-blown war. 

According to an IDF situational assessment and the intelligence in our possession, the rocket launch toward Majdal Shams was carried out by the Hezbollah terrorist organization from an area located north of the village of Chebaa in southern Lebanon.

"A Falaq-1 rocket landed here in the football field. This is an Iranian model rocket manufactured in Iran, with a warhead containing over fifty kilograms of explosives. Forensic findings at the scene point to this rocket, which is only found with the Hezbollah terrorist organization, was fired from the Chebaa area in Lebanon," said IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagary.

This attack has reportedly been carried out as retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed four Hezbollah officials earlier on Saturday. Yet, uncharacteristically, Hezbollah was quick to issue a denial, claiming it did not carry out the attack, most likely fearing international denouncement and retaliation. 

“What is absolutely clear is that the Hezbollah terrorist organization is responsible. Since October 8th, they have been firing at the north, targeting all northern residents and the entire northern area. We are responding with force, but this event is the most severe incident against the citizens of the State of Israel since October 7th, and we will act accordingly," Hagary added. 

Answering a reporter’s question on why the Iron Dome aerial defense system did not manage to identify and intercept the rocket, Hagary said that during the day, Hezbollah launched many barrages consisting of various “aerial items” (rockets and drones). Israel’s aerial defense managed to intercept many of them, but the reason this one failed is under investigation. 

The spiritual leader of the Druze community, Sheikh Mowafak Tarif, said: "We are in great shock from the horrific massacre that occurred in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, in a brutal and murderous terrorist attack that struck innocent children. The horror scenes are unimaginable and indescribable. A civilized state cannot allow continuous harm to its citizens and residents. This has been the ongoing reality for nine months in the northern communities. This evening, it crossed every possible red and black line." 

The Forum of Druze and Circassian Local Authorities has declared two days of mourning.

The White House and National Security Council condemned the attack, which it called “horrific”, saying in a statement that “Our support for Israel’s security is iron-clad and unwavering against all Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah.”

“Shocking images from the soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams. I strongly condemn this bloodbath,” the EU foreign police chief, Josep Borrell, wrote on X (Twitter). “We need an independent international investigation into this unacceptable incident. We urge all parties to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation.

Over the past 10 months, tens of thousands of Israeli citizens have evacuated their homes in the north and remain displaced persons in their own land, living in temporary housing or in hotels throughout Israel.