White House: The Golan Heights is part of Israel and the country has every right to respond to Hezbollah's attack

John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council of the White House, announced on Monday that the Golan Heights is part of Israeli territory and that Israel has every right to respond to Hezbollah's rocket attack. According to AFP, Kirby also stated that American and Israeli officials have been in discussions at 'multiple levels' over the past two days, and comments regarding the risk of an all-out war are 'exaggerated.' He added, 'No one wants a broader war, and I am confident we can prevent such an outcome.' Kirby mentioned that there are currently no signs indicating a significant impact of the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah on ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. In this context, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, reiterating America's ironclad commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iranian-backed terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, and emphasized the importance of preventing the escalation of tensions. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit among the families of victims of Hezbollah's rocket attack and a children's soccer field targeted by Hezbollah in Majdal Shams, stated that this 'horrific tragedy' was carried out with Iranian missiles, and Israel would respond harshly to Hezbollah's actions. As tensions rise, many airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Greek Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Jordanian Airlines, have canceled flights to and from Beirut. Hezbollah's rocket attack, the main proxy arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on children and civilians in northern Israel resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers aged 10 to 20, with over 30 others injured. Senior Israeli officials have warned that they will not simply overlook Hezbollah's actions and will make this Iranian-backed group pay a heavy price. Just one day after Hamas's terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7 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 has also targeted the positions of this Iranian proxy group in Lebanon and Syria in response to Hezbollah's cross-border attacks, eliminating nearly 400 members, including many senior commanders. Israel has stated that nearly 80,000 citizens living in northern areas of the country have been displaced due to Hezbollah's attacks. So far, U.S. diplomatic efforts to push Hezbollah back beyond 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. Netanyahu in Majdal Shams: Hezbollah's attack was carried out with Iranian missiles; international flights to Beirut canceled. Concerns are rising about the possibility of a new war in the Middle East; Germany and Italy have called for de-escalation. The U.S. reiterated its support for Israel's security against 'Iran-backed threats.' A senior U.S. congressman stated that the Iranian government is the 'real devil' of the Middle East. Associated Press: U.S. intelligence officials confirmed Hezbollah's role in the attack on 'Majdal Shams'; Israel attacked Hezbollah targets across Lebanon overnight. The funeral of the victims of the rocket attack on Majdal Shams; Gallant: Hezbollah will pay a heavy price despite its 'ridiculous denials.' Israel: The deadly Hezbollah attack was carried out using the Iranian 'Falaq 1' rocket. 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: Our commitment to Israel's security is unwavering.