Arabic-language social media was filled with images and videos of Hezbollah's rocket attack on the town of Majdal Shams in the northern Golan Heights. Alongside expressions of joy from Hezbollah supporters, there were numerous angry reactions to the killing of the town's residents.
According to many commenters, the residents of Majdal Shams, Druze citizens of Israel, are "occupied Syrian residents" and their killing demonstrates the organization's disregard for the lives of Druze and Syrians.
"The Party of Satan specializes in killing Syrians and loves to kill children," wrote Samir, a Syrian citizen who supports the rebels against the Assad regime.
"Hezbollah, a terror resistance, kills Syrians," wrote Awarim Suwaidan, known as "Abu Khalil," who frequently expresses support for the Syrian rebels and Turkish involvement in Syria on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Wisam Zawamot, a Lebanese citizen living in Germany, wrote: "Allah's curse on the criminal Hezbollah, child murderers."
On the other hand, Muna Al-Qatani, a Palestinian living in Paris, wrote: "The Druze are agents and traitors. They enlist in the occupying army."
The residents of Majdal Shams do not enlist in the IDF, and many of them refuse to accept Israeli citizenship. A user named Yasmin was quick to blame Israel for the incident, claiming that a flaw in the Iron Dome system caused the hit on Majdal Shams.
The Hezbollah attack occurred at 18:18, and according to reports, the terrorist organization fired dozens of rockets at northern Israeli settlements. The Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen, affiliated with Hezbollah, claimed that the barrage included more than 100 rockets fired over the course of an hour to the Galilee Panhandle and the Golan Heights.
Analyst Amjad Taha, based in the UAE, condemned this evening "the barbaric attack by Lebanese Hezbollah on Israeli children and youth at a soccer field! In Majdal Shams, a town of the Druze minority. Israel has the right to defend itself against this evil. The world needs to protect against the heinous act of Iran's proxy in Lebanon. Where are the children's rights organizations?"
IDF Arabic Spokesman Avichay Adraee said: "Hezbollah has been lying and denies its connection to the incident. Our intelligence is clear - Hezbollah is responsible for the killing of innocent children. Hezbollah has once again exposed its ugly face as a terrorist organization."
Druze politician close to Hezbollah, Wi'am Wahhab, added: "Our blood is not cheap; we demand an independent investigation involving the UN to reveal the circumstances of the massacre in Majdal Shams."
The Lebanese government also responded to the shooting, telling Reuters: "The Lebanese government condemns attacks against civilians and calls for an end to hostilities on both sides of the front."
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stated that "Hezbollah's denial of what happened in Majdal Shams confirms its commitment to the rules of the struggle."
Druze-Lebanese politician Walid Jumblatt responded this evening: "We reject attacks on civilians in Palestine, the occupied Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon. We warn against attempts by the Israeli enemy to ignite a civil war and divide the region. We stand with the resistance and the resistance fighters facing the crimes of the occupation."
