By Rania Abu Shamala
ISTANBUL (AA) - Although Hezbollah and Israel have regularly exchanged fire since last October, the July 27 rocket attack in Majdal Shams in occupied Golan Heights proved to be a pivotal point in the 10-month-old war on Gaza.
Israel blamed the Lebanese group for the attack that killed 12 killed people, and launched a strike targeting its leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Hours later, Hamas political bureau chief was killed in an airstrike on a guest house in the Iranian capital Tehran.
Here's a timeline of key events during the past few days:
- July 27: At around 7 p.m. local time, missile attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams, occupied Golan Heights kills 12 people and injures many other.
Israel accuses Hezbollah for the attack, but the Lebanese group denies responsibility.
- July 28: Israeli Prime Minister Israel Benjamin Netanyahu lands in Tel Aviv from his visit to the US.
Security Cabinet meeting authorizes the premier and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for a response to decide on the manner and timing of response.
- July 30: At around 8 p.m., the Israeli military strikes southern Beirut to target a senior Hezbollah commander in retaliation for the attack on Majdal Shams.
- July 31: Just past midnight, the Israeli military says the strike assassinated Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander. The death has yet to be confirmed by the Lebanese group.
At around 6 a.m. Tehran time, Palestinian resistance group Hamas announces its political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike targeting a guest house in the Iranian capital Tehran. There has been no comment from Israel.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemns the assassination, saying it is their duty to "avenge the dear guest's blood."