The security cabinet of Israel authorised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Sunday to decide on the "manner and timing" of a response to a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 teenagers, amid escalated tensions of another war in the region.
Israel and the United States have blamed the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah for the attack. However, Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Majdal Shams on Saturday, the deadliest in Israel after the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas sparking a war in Gaza. The offensive has spread to several fronts and risks spilling into a wider regional conflict.
Following the attack on Golan Heights on a football field that killed 12 teenagers, Israel vowed retaliation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Israeli jets hit target in southern Lebanon during the day on Sunday.
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But it has been expected that a stronger response could follow the security cabinet meeting convened by Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
After the meeting, the cabinet "authorised the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister to decide on the manner and timing of the response," said Netanyahu's office, reported Reuters.
Thousands lined the streets in Majdal Shams to mourn its young victims, holding flowers and photos as they crowded beside the small white coffins.
On Sunday, the White House also blamed Hezbollah for the strike. "This attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket, launched from an area they control," it said in a statement.
Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris said through her national security adviser that her "support for Israel's security is ironclad."
The US has been in discussions with Israel and Lebanese counterparts since Saturday's "horrific" attack and that it was working on a diplomatic solution, Washington said, as per the Reuters report.
US State Secretary Antony Blinken said Washington did not want any more escalation of the conflict which has seen daily exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah along the border.