US blames Hezbollah for Golan Heights attack, says it doesn't want escalation
WASHINGTON: The United States on Sunday (Jul 28) blamed Lebanon-based Hezbollah for a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children and teenagers on a football field while raising the threat of a wider war in the Middle East.
Israel also blamed Hezbollah and said it would strike hard against the Iran-backed group after the attack on Saturday, but Hezbollah has denied any responsibility.
The strike raised fears of a wider conflict in the region where tensions have intensified due to Israel's war in Gaza. That onslaught, which began more than nine months ago, has killed tens of thousands and caused a massive humanitarian crisis throughout the narrow coastal enclave.
"This attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control," the White House said in a statement on Sunday. It added that Washington has been in discussions with Israeli and Lebanese officials since Saturday's attack, which it condemned and described as "horrific."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday he does not want to see an escalation of conflict on Israel's northern border and reiterated US support for Israel.
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The White House said Washington was working on a diplomatic solution to end attacks on the Israel-Lebanon border.
Vice President Kamala Harris's national security adviser Phil Gordon said on Sunday that the presidential candidate has been briefed and is closely monitoring the situation.
"Israel continues to face severe threats to its security, and the Vice President’s support for Israel’s security is ironclad," Gordon said in a statement.
Blinken said he was saddened by the loss of life and added that reaching a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza could help calm the situation on Israel's border with Lebanon.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt have sought to mediate in the dispute. But Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, have yet to forge a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday echoed Blinken's statement. "Israel has every right to defend itself against Hezbollah like they do against Hamas," Schumer told CBS News in an interview.
"I don't think anyone wants a wider war. So I hope there are moves to de-escalate," Schumer added.
