United Nations officials have strongly condemned the rocket attack on a football field in the Golan Heights, which resulted in the deaths of at least 12 civilians, mainly children and teenagers. The attack occurred in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, and has prompted calls for restraint to prevent further escalation of violence in the region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep sorrow and condemned the attack, conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. "Civilians, and children in particular, should not continue to bear the burden of the horrific violence plaguing the region," a statement from his spokesperson read.
Guterres reiterated his call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any actions that could escalate the situation further. He stressed the importance of adhering to international law and urged all parties to fully implement UN Security Council resolution 1701, which was established in 2006 to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This resolution calls for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, and the creation of a demilitarized zone.
Tor Wennesland, the UN’s top Middle East envoy, also addressed the incident, warning on social media that the region is at a critical juncture. He urged all parties to refrain from further rocket launches across the Blue Line, highlighting the need for immediate cessation of hostilities.
In a joint statement, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, the Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), condemned the attack. They stressed that civilians, particularly children and teenagers, must be protected at all times and called for an immediate halt to the intensified exchanges of fire to prevent a broader conflict.
