Israel claims it killed senior Hezbollah commander in strike on Beirut

An Israeli reaction had been widely expected after the deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, and Israel’s security cabinet had authorised Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant to decide how to retaliate.

At least 12 people were killed – mostly children – when a rocket hit a football pitch in Majdal Shams on Saturday.

Israel has blamed Hezbollah, but the group denies any involvement.

It was the deadliest incident near the Israel-Lebanon border since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in October.

That escalation came after Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October.

Hezbollah – which supports Hamas – opened up a limited second front in Israel’s north, and the two sides have been exchanging fire ever since.

Recent days have seen world leaders urge restraint over fears of an all-out war.

On Tuesday the UK foreign secretary told UK nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately or risk “becoming trapped in a warzone”.

David Lammy has arrived in Qatar along with Defence Secretary John Healey “to “drive forward efforts to bring the conflict in Gaza to an end and to press for de-escalation in the region”, the Foreign Office said.

He said escalation and destabilisation were “in no-one’s interests”, adding: “It is absolutely vital that we engage closely with partners like Qatar, who play a key role in mediating the conflict in Gaza, so that we can bring this devastating war to an end.”