By Robert Inlakesh

Israel’s recent attack on a civilian-populated building in Southern Beirut, coupled with the assassination of a Hezbollah official, highlights the ongoing tension in the Middle East. The Israeli regime’s justification for the attack, based on alleged aggression in Majdal Shams, a Syrian-Druze populated village, is unsubstantiated.

Majdal Shams, among other villages in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, is internationally recognized as Syrian territory. The Syrian-Druze residing in these areas continue to view themselves as Syrians, despite Israeli occupation. The oppressive policies and projects imposed by Israel on these communities have sparked resistance and civil disobedience.

The recent tragedy in Majdal Shams, which claimed the lives of children, has raised questions about the true perpetrators and motives behind the attack. Hezbollah denies involvement, and local sentiment implicates Israel in the incident, fueling further unrest.

– Robert Inlakesh is a journalist, writer, and documentary filmmaker specializing in the Middle East and Palestine. This article was contributed to The Palestine Chronicle.