Fears of all out war as Israel vows retaliation to Lebanon rocket strike
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00:00For Israel, retaliating to Saturday's rocket strike that killed 12 teenagers and children
00:05in the occupied Golan Heights is no longer a matter of if, but when.
00:11After convening on Sunday, Israel's security cabinet has now authorised Prime Minister
00:16Benjamin Netanyahu's government to decide on the manner and timing of a response against
00:21Hezbollah, who it's blamed for the attack.
00:24Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, is vowing to hit the Iranian-backed group hard.
00:29Ahead of a furious response, Israeli fighter jets attacked Hezbollah targets on Sunday,
00:35despite the militant group's denials of any connection to Saturday's strike, which took
00:39place on a football field where children were reportedly playing.
00:44The tragedy, believed to be the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians since October
00:487th, is now stoking fears of a wider regional war, particularly in this community.
00:54I'm afraid for the consequences, if this happened yesterday, what about tomorrow if
00:58it happens, like, if it gets to an all-out war?
01:03It's going to be pretty tough, and more people are going to die on all sides.
01:07It's a scenario that Israel's allies fear too, as they now work feverishly to de-escalate
01:12tensions.
01:13Leading the cause for restraint is Washington, who also claims Hezbollah is responsible.
01:19On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed what he says is Israel's right
01:23to defend its citizens, while Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to become president
01:28of the US, sought to make her position clear as she condemned Hezbollah for the attack
01:33and pledged ironclad support for Israel.
01:37Hezbollah is now reportedly on high alert.
01:40It's been locked in near-daily exchange of fire with Israel across the border with Lebanon,
01:45but Saturday's strike now threatens to tip the standoff into a more dangerous phase.