The names of the children and teenagers who died on July 27 on a football field in Majdal Shams due to a rocket strike have been released. According to the IDF, the attack was carried out by Hezbollah using an Iranian-made rocket.
All victims were under 16 years old, including three girls and eight boys. The gender of one victim has not yet been released.
The victims were named as Alma Ayman Fakher Eldin, 11; Milad Muadad Alsha'ar, 10; Vinees Adham Alsafadi, 11; Iseel Nasha'at Ayoub, 12; Yazan Nayeif Abu Saleh, 12; Johnny Wadeea Ibrahim, 13; Ameer Rabeea Abu Saleh, 16; Naji Taher Alhalabi, 11; Fajer Laith Abu Saleh, 16; Hazem Akram Abu Saleh, 15; and Nathem Fakher Saeb, 16.
Twelve children and teenagers were killed. Eleven others were injured. Five are in serious condition, three are in moderate condition, and four are lightly injured. Six more people needed medical help for shock.
Residents of Majdal Shams reported hearing the rocket warning siren, but most at the stadium couldn't reach shelter in time. The IDF reported a malfunction in the air defense system, which is under investigation.
According to IDF assessments and intelligence, Hezbollah is responsible for the attack, launching the rocket from an area north of the village of Shebaa. The IDF stated that the attack was in retaliation for the killing of a Hezbollah fighter from the Radwan unit (Hezbollah's special forces) in the Kfar Kila area.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi confirmed that the rocket was an Iranian-made Falaq-1 with a 53 kg warhead.
Hezbollah spokesperson Muhammad Afif told Reuters that the organization is not responsible for the attack. Hezbollah-affiliated media also stated that the group had no involvement in the strike. Hezbollah's statement to UNIFIL claimed that an Israeli counter-rocket caused the civilian deaths and that Islamic resistance bears no responsibility.
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi assessed the situation with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Northern Command representatives.
The Prime Minister's Office reported that Benjamin Netanyahu received detailed information about the tragedy and consulted with his military secretary, Roman Gofman.
Netanyahu, who was in the US, had his return flight moved earlier.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that there are currently no changes to instructions for the home front population.
The Lebanese government issued a statement condemning "all acts of violence against civilians," stating that "strikes on civilians are a gross violation of international law and contradict humanitarian principles." The Lebanese government called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts."
