At Least 12 Children Killed in Hezbollah Rocket Attack on Israeli Soccer Field

Majdal Shams, Golan Heights (Syrian territory) Syrian Arab Republic
At least 12 people, all children and teenagers, were killed in a rocket attack on a soccer field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on July 28, 2024.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused them of using an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket.
Israeli officials blamed Hezbollah for the attack and conducted air strikes against seven of their targets deep inside Lebanon.
The soccer field was located in Majdal Shams, a Druze town near the Syrian border. The children had been playing there when they were struck by rockets.
This marked the deadliest loss of life in and around Israel's northern border since October 2021.
At Least 12 Children Killed in Hezbollah Rocket Attack on Israeli Soccer Field

Israel and Hezbollah Trade Attacks: At Least 12 People Killed in Golan Heights

Tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah escalated on Saturday, July 28, when at least 12 people were killed in a rocket attack on a soccer field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The victims were all children and teenagers.

Israeli officials immediately blamed Hezbollah for the attack and vowed swift retaliation. Israeli warplanes conducted air strikes against seven Hezbollah targets deep inside Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.

The soccer field where the attack occurred was located in Majdal Shams, a Druze town near the Syrian border. The children had been playing there when they were struck by rockets. The attack marked the deadliest loss of life in and around Israel's northern border since October 2021.

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the group of using an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket. The Lebanese government has asked the United States to urge restraint from Israel following the attack.

The Golan Heights have been a source of tension between Israel and Lebanon for decades. The area was seized by Israel from Syria in 1967 during the Six-Day War and annexed in 1981, a move not recognized by the international community. Hezbollah has long threatened to retaliate against Israeli targets in the Golan Heights.

The attack on Saturday came amid heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon, as well as between Israel and other regional powers such as Iran and Syria. The situation remains volatile, with both sides warning of further escalation.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if any adults were also killed in the attack.
  • The exact number of casualties may be subject to change as more information becomes available.

Sources

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Golan Heights attack: Israel hits Hezbollah targets after football pitch attack

BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ Paul Adams Sunday, 28 July 2024 10:28
  • Unique Points
    • Israeli air force conducted air strikes against seven Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after 12 children and young adults were killed in a rocket strike while playing football in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
    • The attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams resulted in the deadliest loss of life in and around Israel’s northern border since October, with a total of 12 people killed.
    • Israel accuses Hezbollah of using an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket in the attack.
  • Accuracy
    • , The soccer field where children and teenagers had been playing was hit by a rocket, causing the deaths of 12 young boys and girls.
    • Israel blames Hezbollah for a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (95%)
    The author does not directly make any biased assertions in the article. However, there are several instances where the author reports on Hezbollah's denial of involvement and Israel's accusations without providing any evidence to support Israel's claims. This could potentially be seen as a disproportionate number of quotations reflecting a specific position (Israel's) and could be considered monetary bias if it is assumed that the author or BBC receives funding from sources that would benefit from Israel's narrative being presented. However, without further information, it is difficult to definitively say whether there is bias present.
    • IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari accused Hezbollah of lying and denying responsibility for the incident.
      • Israel has blamed the Lebanese militant group for Saturday’s strike on the Druze town of Majdal Shams, but Hezbollah has strongly denied any involvement.
        • Israel says 12 people were killed in Golan Heights after rocket fire
          • Our intelligence is clear. Hezbollah is responsible for the murder of innocent children.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          94%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Israel says Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after blaming it for attack on soccer field that killed 12 children

          CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Rob Picheta Sunday, 28 July 2024 09:35
          • Unique Points
            • Israel blames Hezbollah for a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children
            • Approximately 30 projectiles crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory in the attack
            • A soccer field where children and teenagers had been playing was among the sites hit in the attack
            • All 12 victims of Saturday’s strike were children
          • Accuracy
            • Hezbollah denies involvement in the attack on Majdal Shams soccer field
          • Deception (80%)
            The article reports on an attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children and quotes Israeli officials blaming Hezbollah for the attack. While there is no clear evidence presented in the article to support this claim beyond official statements from Israeli authorities, it is not a lie for Rob Picheta to report on these statements or quote them directly. However, the title of the article implies that Hezbollah has been definitively proven to be responsible for the attack when that is not yet established as fact. This could be seen as sensationalizing the situation and potentially misleading readers. Additionally, there are several instances of editorializing in quotes from Israeli officials such as 'Hezbollah is responsible for this and they will pay the price.' These statements represent Rob Picheta's interpretation or opinion rather than facts, which is a violation of analysis rules.
            • We will hit the enemy hard.
            • Hezbollah is responsible for this and they will pay the price.
            • Israel vowed Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after blaming the Lebanese militant group for a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          74%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Israel says it bombed Hezbollah sites deep inside Lebanon

          Al Jazeera Media Network Al Jazeera Sunday, 28 July 2024 10:30
          • Unique Points
            • Israeli military bombed weapons depots and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in several locations in Lebanon: Bekaa Valley, Shabriha, Burj el-Shemali near Tyre, Kafr Lila or Kfar Kila, Rab el-Thalathine, Khiam and Tayr Harfa
            • Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Hezbollah for the rocket attack on a football ground in Majdal Shams
            • Hezbollah opened up a front in southern Lebanon to help the people of Gaza since October 2021
          • Accuracy
            • Israel blames Hezbollah for attack in Golan Heights that killed 12 people
            • Hezbollah denies involvement in the attack
          • Deception (50%)
            The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position against Hezbollah. The author also uses emotional manipulation by describing the attack as a 'massacre' and 'fabricated scenario'. Additionally, there is editorializing in the article with phrases such as 'raising fears of regional escalation', 'not an army fighting another army', and 'distract public opinion and global attention from its wide-ranging crimes in Palestine'. The author also uses sensationalism by describing the attack as a 'massacre' and implying that Hezbollah deliberately shot at civilians.
            • What we witnessed overnight was really normal activity, something that we have seen in the past 10 months since Hezbollah opened up a front in southern Lebanon to help the people of Gaza.
            • According to Khodr, the Israeli response and whether it would hit military or civilian targets could signal a 'tipping point' that will determine the trajectory of the border conflict that started on October 8.
            • Saturday's massacre constitutes the crossing of all red lines by Hezbollah. This is not an army fighting another army, rather it is a terrorist organisation deliberately shooting at civilians.
          • Fallacies (80%)
            The author Al Jazeera has used inflammatory rhetoric by referring to Israel as an 'apartheid regime' and 'mass murderer of Palestinian children and women'. This is a form of emotional appeal that can sway public opinion without providing any logical reasoning or evidence.
            • According to Khodr, the Israeli response and whether it would hit military or civilian targets could signal a ‘tipping point’ that will determine the trajectory of the border conflict that started on October 8.
            • The United Nations, the United States and the European Union condemned the attack. The UN and the EU urged all parties to exercise ‘restraint’ to prevent an all-out war, with the 27-member bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calling for an ‘independent international investigation’.
            • More than 350 people, including 100 civilians have been killed in repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the start of the war on Gaza, according to the UN. Israeli officials say more than 30 people, including 10 civilians, have been killed in attacks originating from Lebanon.
          • Bias (50%)
            Al Jazeera's reporting includes language that depicts Israel as an 'apartheid regime' and accuses it of 'mass killing in the Gaza Strip' and 'mass murder of Palestinian children and women'. These statements are biased as they take a clear anti-Israel stance without providing evidence or context to support these claims.
            • After 10 months of mass killing in the Gaza Strip and mass murder of Palestinian children and women, the apartheid Israeli regime is trying to distract public opinion and global attention from its wide-ranging crimes in Palestine using a fabricated scenario.
              • The United Nations, the United States and the European Union condemned the attack. The UN and the EU urged all parties to exercise 'restraint' to prevent an all-out war, with the 27-member bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calling for an 'independent international investigation'. More than 350 people, including 100 civilians have been killed in repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the start of the war on Gaza, according to the UN. Israeli officials say more than 30 people, including 10 civilians, have been killed in attacks originating from Lebanon.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              95%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Lebanon says it asked US to urge restraint from Israel after Golan death

              The Jerusalem Post By Sunday, 28 July 2024 10:30
              • Unique Points
                • Lebanon's foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib asked the US to urge restraint from Israel following an attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children and teenagers, with Israel vowing swift retaliation.
                • Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack.
              • Accuracy
                • The number of people killed in the attack (12 in Article vs. various ages and numbers in OtherArticles)
                • Israel's response to the attack (retaliation vs. airstrikes on Hezbollah targets)
                • Location of Israeli military response (Shebaa, Lebanon vs. several locations deep inside Lebanese territory)
              • Deception (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Fallacies (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Bias (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              89%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Children and teens among 12 dead in Golan Heights attack that Israel blames on Hezbollah, raising fears of major escalation

              CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Ivana Kottasová, Saturday, 27 July 2024 16:54
              • Unique Points
                • At least 12 people, including children, were killed in a rocket attack on a village in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Saturday.
                • Israel identified 'approximately 30 projectiles' crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory and blamed the attack on Hezbollah.
                • Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah targets 'deep inside Lebanese territory and in southern Lebanon' following the attack.
                • The soccer field where children and teenagers had been playing was hit by a rocket, causing the deaths of 12 young boys and girls.
                • Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Majdal Shams and told local leaders that Hezbollah was responsible for the attack and would pay the price.
              • Accuracy
                • Hezbollah denied involvement in the deadly strike.
              • Deception (50%)
                The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author only reports details that support the Israeli perspective, such as the number of people killed and injured, while omitting information about Hezbollah's denial of involvement in the attack or their statement admitting targeting other parts of the Golan Heights. The author also uses emotive language to describe the deaths of children and teenagers, which can manipulate readers' emotions and sway public opinion against Hezbollah.
                • This is a very serious incident and we will act accordingly...
                • Ten of the killed have been identified, but there are more who were torn apart and are still unidentified...
                • Israel said it had identified ‘approximately 30 projectiles’ crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory in a barrage it blamed on the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and described as the deadliest against it since October 7.
                • At least 12 people, including children, were killed when a rocket hit a village in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights Saturday...
              • Fallacies (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Bias (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication