Events were “fast moving,” according to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and employees of the Foreign Office were working “round the clock” to help guarantee the protection of UK citizens.
It happened after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to launch a massive counterattack after a strike that killed 12 children in the Golan Heights, where Israel occupies.
Mr. Netanyahu attributed the rocket attack on the Majdal Shams football field to the Hezbollah organization in Lebanon, which is supported by Iran.
Hezbollah has, unusually, denied any involvement in the incident.
Mr. Netanyahu declared, “The state of Israel will not and cannot overlook this,” after visiting the scene of the incident.
We’ll respond, and we’ll respond badly.
Approximately 300 mourners demonstrated against Mr. Netanyahu’s visit, demanding an end to the violence and accusing him of milking the tragedy for political advantage.
According to Lebanese state media, Israeli attacks on a motorcycle near the border in Lebanon early on Monday resulted in two fatalities and three injuries.
Yoav Gallant, Israel’s minister of defense, had also visited the town earlier in the day and had threatened Hezbollah that it would “pay a price” for the attack.
