**Iran Warns Israel: Do Not Risk Escalation in Lebanon**
As Israeli threats intensify regarding a strong response following the accusation that Hezbollah in Lebanon targeted the town of Majdal Shams with a rocket that killed 12 people on Saturday, Iran has issued a response.
**”Unpredictable Consequences”**
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani announced in a statement on Sunday that his country warns Israel against any new risky actions in Lebanon. He added that Iran cautions Israel against new military adventures in Lebanon that could lead to “unpredictable consequences.”
Kanaani further noted that any action reflecting “Israeli ignorance” could lead to increased instability, insecurity, and war in the region. He emphasized that Israel would bear responsibility for the unpredictable consequences and reactions to such “foolish” actions.
The warning comes against the backdrop of the Golan Heights incident, where Israeli authorities reported that 12 people, including children, were killed on Saturday in a rocket attack on a football field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel accused the Iran-aligned Lebanese group Hezbollah of being responsible for the strike and vowed severe retaliation.
Hezbollah, however, denied any responsibility for the attack.
This warning came after Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed in a press conference that the rocket was “Iranian-made.” On Saturday, Hagari stated that the military identified the type of rocket that hit the football field in the town as an “Iranian-made” Falaq-1, according to The Times of Israel.
Hagari explained that the Falaq-1 rocket, made in Iran, carries a warhead with 50 kg of explosives. He pointed out that forensic results at the site indicate the use of this rocket type, which is exclusively used by Hezbollah, confirming their involvement in the attack.
The Israeli newspaper noted that Hezbollah had earlier claimed in a statement on Saturday that it launched a single Falaq rocket towards an Israeli military base north of Majdal Shams, but later denied any involvement.
**Serious Threat**
In response, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announced on Sunday the initiation of what he called the next phase of the war in the north. During his visit to the attack site, Halevi said his forces are elevating their readiness for the next phase of the conflict in the north, noting that they know precisely where the rocket was launched from.
He confirmed that the rocket targeting Majdal Shams carried a warhead weighing 53 kilograms. Halevi emphasized that the Israeli military knows how to conduct raids far from Israel and is committed to using all means to bring back the residents of the entire north in the Galilee and Golan, referring to the thousands of displaced people who left northern Israel fleeing the escalation with Hezbollah since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip nine months ago.
Since the attack, both sides have exchanged fire on the border, with Israel striking targets deep within Lebanon, as announced by the military. Meanwhile, international warnings about the dangers of escalation and the potential for it to turn into a highly dangerous full-scale war have been issued, alongside calls for restraint.
—by/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚