Context:  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed heavy retaliation against Hezbollah following a rocket strike that tragically killed many in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

Background:

Israel aims to harm the Lebanon-based, Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, which it holds responsible for the attack, without escalating into an all-out war in the Middle East. The incident has raised concerns about further hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, marking their worst tensions since the 2006 war.

About Golan Heights :

1. The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau located in south-western Syria, approximately 60 km (40 miles) south-west of Damascus.
2. Despite its relatively small size, it holds immense political and strategic significance.
3. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria during the closing stages of the 1967 Six-Day War. Prior to that, it was under Syrian sovereignty.
4. The Golan Heights straddles the borders of Syria and Israel.
5. Israel currently controls about two-thirds of the territory, while Syria holds the remaining third.
6. Despite its contested status, the Golan Heights remains a focal point in the complex dynamics of the Middle East. While the United Nations recognizes it as part of Syria, Israel’s occupation persists, defying UN Resolution 242.
7. The Golan Heights is bordered by Israel to the west, Lebanon to the northwest, and Jordan to the south.