Israeli Premier Netanyahu cuts short US visit after missile attack on Majdal Shams

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided Saturday to expedite his return from Washington to Tel Aviv after a missile attack on Golan Heights’ Majdal Shams town killed 11 people.

Earlier, he was scheduled to return on Sunday evening.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli authorities said that 11 people were killed and 37 others injured in the missile attack.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed that his return to Israel be brought forward as quickly as possible,” Netanyahu’s office said on X.

Since Monday, Netanyahu has been on a visit to Washington, where he met with President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, and also delivered a speech before the US Congress.

While the Israeli army accused Hezbollah of the attack, the group denied responsibility for it.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 39,300 people since last October following a Hamas attack.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​