Netanyahu in Majdal Shams: Hezbollah's Attack Was Conducted with Iranian Missiles; International Flights to Beirut Canceled

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on Monday, while among the families of the victims of Hezbollah's rocket attack and at a children's football field targeted by Hezbollah in Majdal Shams, stated that this attack was conducted with Iranian missiles. Netanyahu described the Hezbollah attack as a 'terrible disaster' for Israel and promised a strong response to Hezbollah's actions. The unwavering support of the United States for Israel was emphasized by Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, who condemned Hezbollah's deadly attack on Majdal Shams during a phone call with Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. Blinken expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran-backed terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, and stressed the importance of preventing the escalation of tensions. Blinken and Herzog also discussed finding a diplomatic solution for the return of citizens on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to their homes. Concurrently, as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah intensified following the deadly rocket attack on northern Israel, international flights to and from Beirut Airport were canceled or delayed. Air France announced the cancellation of flights to Beirut on Monday and Tuesday due to security conditions. Lufthansa and its subsidiaries also announced the cancellation of flights to and from Beirut until next Tuesday. Royal Jordanian Airlines canceled its flights to and from Beirut on Monday and Tuesday. Turkish Airlines, Greek Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Middle East Airlines (Lebanon) also canceled their flights to Beirut on Monday. Hezbollah's rocket attack, the main proxy arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran, targeted children and civilians in northern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers aged 10 to 20 and injuring more than 30 others. Senior Israeli officials have warned that they will not overlook Hezbollah's actions and will make this Iran-backed group pay a heavy price. Just one day after the terrorist attack by Hamas on southern Israel last year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of over 250 others, including women and children, Hezbollah unilaterally began its missile and drone attacks on residential areas in northern Israel. The Israeli army, in response to Hezbollah's cross-border attacks, has heavily targeted this Iran-backed group's positions in Lebanon and Syria, eliminating nearly 400 members, including many of its senior commanders. Israel has stated that nearly 80,000 citizens living in the northern regions of the country have been displaced due to Hezbollah's attacks. So far, U.S. diplomatic efforts to push Hezbollah back to the other side of the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006, have failed. Concerns are rising about the potential for a new war in the Middle East; Germany and Italy have called for de-escalation. The U.S. has once again emphasized its support for Israel's security against 'Iran-backed threats.' A senior U.S. congressional legislator called the Iranian government the 'real devil' of the Middle East. Associated Press: U.S. intelligence officials confirmed Hezbollah's role in the attack on 'Majdal Shams'; Israel conducted nighttime strikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. Israel: Hezbollah's deadly attack was carried out using the 'Falaq 1' rocket from Iran. Netanyahu: Israel will not simply overlook this attack; Hezbollah will pay a heavy price. The U.S. condemned the 'horrific' attack on Israel; the White House stated that its commitment to Israel's security is unwavering. Katz: Hezbollah has crossed 'all red lines'; we are nearing a moment of full-scale war.