diplomacy at work for de-escalation –

Israel has reiterated that it will hit the pro-Iranian Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah hard, after an Iranian-made Falaq rocket hit a soccer field in Majdal al Shams, a Druze town in the Golan Heights, on Saturday, killing 12 children. The overall picture suggests that the Israeli military will respond “heavily”, while avoiding extending the conflict underway in the Gaza Strip to Lebanon, both because of the military resources available, but, even more, to avoid an Iranian reaction and, therefore, a very dangerous regional escalation. At the international level, governments are working to avoid an increase in tension, warning their citizens to leave Lebanon, while some airlines have temporarily cancelled flights to Beirut airport.

The United States is putting strong pressure on Israel not to respond too harshly. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “Israel has every right to defend its citizens, but we need to work to avoid a conflict on the Golan Heights.” On Sunday evening, the Israeli government authorized a military retaliation against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, just after the attack on the Golan. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated that the pro-Iranian Shiite movement will face the consequences of the attack on Majdal Shams, in the Golan Heights (occupied by Israel in 1967 and de facto annexed in 1981), “despite its ridiculous denials.” The Israeli army attributed the attack to Hezbollah, while the latter denied any responsibility. “I came to the Northern Command to discuss retaliation plans. This is Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy in the region. Hezbollah will not go unpunished for this incident, even with its ridiculous denials,” Gallant said, adding that the Islamist group fired the rocket that hit Madjal Shams and “will pay a heavy price for its actions.”

Iran has warned Israel that any new military campaign in Lebanon could lead to “unforeseen consequences.” In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that “any ignorant action by the Zionist regime (Israel) can lead to the expansion of the scope of instability and insecurity, as well as war in the region,” adding that the Jewish state would be responsible for “the consequences and unforeseen reactions to these stupid behaviors.” On the night of April 13-14, Iran launched a large-scale attack on Israel, with around 300 rockets and missiles, in retaliation for the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier that month. Tehran’s announcement of the attack has put the air defenses of some countries in the region, including Israel, on standby to counter the threat. According to some international media, Hezbollah is preparing for a massive Israeli attack with the transfer of weapons and ammunition.