UN, EU demand ‘restraint’ after Hezbollah attack on Israel kills 12 youths

European Union calls for international investigation of terror attack that killed 12 youths in northern Israel – declines to mention Hezbollah.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News Staff

Representatives from the European Union and the United Nations condemned a rocket attack that killed 12 youths in a Druze town in northern Israel over the weekend, while also calling on Israel to demonstrate restraint to avoid escalating tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border.

On Saturday, an explosive projectile launched from southern Lebanon slammed into a soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the northern Golan Heights, killing 12 children and youths, ages 10 to 20.

Dozens more were wounded, including 26 evacuated to Ziv Hospital in Tzfat (Safed), four in Baruch Padeh Medical Center, and several more who were evacuated to Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center.

While the Hezbollah terrorist group denied it was responsible for the attack, the IDF has rejected the Iranian-backed organization’s claim, noting that the rocket used was manufactured by Iran.

Hezbollah terrorists have launched hundreds of rockets, missiles, and suicide drones into northern Israel since last October.

Hours after the attack, European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell issued a statement condemning the attack, but declined to mention either Hezbollah or Iran, and called for “restraint” after the deadly strike.

“Shocking images from the soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams,” Borrell tweeted. “I strongly condemn this bloodbath.”

Borrell also called for an international probe into the attack to determine who was responsible.

“We need an independent international investigation into this unacceptable incident.”

“We urge all parties to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation.”

The United Nations also urged “maximum restraint” after the attack, with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro issuing a joint statement early Sunday morning.

While the two said they “deplore the death of civilians,” they urged all sides to “exercise maximum restraint,” warning of a “wider conflagration that would engulf the entire region in a catastrophe beyond belief.”