Funerals Held for Victims of Hezbollah Attack on Majdal Shams

Latest Developments

Druze communities in the Golan Heights held funerals for the 12 children killed in a Hezbollah rocket attack on July 27. The funeral for one of the victims was held in Ein Qiniyye while a large ceremony for 11 others was held Majdal Shams, the Druze town where the attack occurred. Four children are still in intensive care out of the approximately 40 wounded. The names of eleven of those killed were released by authorities on July 28. “With deep sorrow and grief, and with calm and complete submission to the will of God, Majdal Shams mourns the loss of its finest children and youths who were struck in the village stadium attack,” the Druze community in the Golan said in a statement, according to Israel’s Ynet News. “We mourn the innocent boys and girls killed in Majdal Shams,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement on July 28. “We will ensure Hezbollah, the proxy of Iran, pays a price for this loss,” he added.

Expert Analysis

“Whether Hezbollah intended to murder 12 Israeli children in its attack on Majdal Shams is irrelevant — it assumed the risk of such an outcome the day it began its unprovoked attacks on Israel on October 8, attacks which have only intensified in frequency, intensity and — as tragically demonstrated yesterday — in lethality ever since. Hezbollah’s undeterred recklessness demands an Israeli response of a different kind, but which could now ignite a dreaded conflict of unprecedented destructiveness.” — David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow

“The massacre of children in the Druze town of Majdal Shams by Hezbollah illustrates the increasing danger that Hezbollah poses to Israel and the region. Hezbollah has become reckless in its use of more powerful rockets and missiles as it seeks to terrorize Israelis and force them to leave northern Israel. After the massacre, Hezbollah denied responsibility. It must be held to account for its actions.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Since Hezbollah began attacking Israel on October 8, a mass casualty event has been a pressing concern for analysts and observers of the conflict. Until yesterday, Israel had succeeded in averting such a crisis. Now, the Jewish State will respond to the attack on Majdal Shams, but it must do so in a manner that avoids igniting a full-scale war.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

IDF Says Iranian Falaq-1 Rocket Used in Hezbollah Attack

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that an Iranian Falaq-1 rocket was used in the attack on July 27. “Its warhead — the explosive material — is more than 110 pounds. The forensic findings at the scene indicate this rocket, which is only found with Hezbollah,” he said. While Hezbollah has denied it launched the rocket, the United States agreed with Israel’s assessment that it was launched by Hezbollah. On July 28, the IDF carried out several airstrikes on Hezbollah. “Overnight, the [Israeli Air Force] struck a series of Hezbollah terror targets both deep inside Lebanese territory and in southern Lebanon, including weapons caches and terrorist infrastructure in the areas of Chabriha, Borj El Chmali, and Beqaa, Kfarkela, Rab El Thalathine, Khiam, and Tayr Harfa,” the IDF said. Also on July 28, Israeli officials met to consider responses to the Hezbollah attack.

Related Analysis

“Children Among Dozens of Dead, Wounded as Hezbollah Rocket Strikes Soccer Field in Majdal Shams,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Releases New Drone Footage Showing Israeli Military Bases,” FDD Flash Brief

“Two Israeli Civilians Killed by Hezbollah Rocket Barrage in Golan Heights,” FDD Flash Brief