Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a chilling warning to Iran-backed Hezbollah, claiming they “will pay a heavy price” for its latest attack on Israel.

A spokesperson for the Israeli PM added that the heavy price will be “one that it has not paid so far” after a rocket strike on a football field killed at least 11 children and teenagers.

It is the worst strike on an Israeli target along the country’s northern border since the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah erupted, and risks a wider conflict in the region as WW3 fears rise.

Israel blamed the Lebanese militant group for the deadly strike in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, but Hezbollah has denied any involvement.

The Israeli military branded it a “very serious” event and said it would respond.

Chief spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said: “Hezbollah fired a rocket at children playing soccer in northern Israel. It then lied and claimed they did not carry out the attack”.

He said it was deadliest strike on Israeli civilians since Hamas’ October 7 terror attack that sparked the war in Gaza.

Besides those killed, Mr Hagari said that 20 others were wounded.

However, Hezbollah chief spokesman Mohammed Afif told The Associated Press that the group “categorically denies carrying out an attack on Majdal Shams”.

Hezbollah does not usually deny attacks it is responsible for.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was on a visit to the United States, said he would cut short his trip by several hours, without specifying when he would return. It said he will convene the security Cabinet after arriving.

The militant group said its fighters carried out nine different attacks using rockets and explosive drones against Israeli military posts, the last of which targeted the army command of the Haramoun Brigade in Maaleh Golani with Katyusha rockets.

It said it was in response to Israeli airstrikes on villages in southern Lebanon.

The strike followed earlier cross-border violence on Saturday, when Hezbollah said three of its fighters were killed, without specifying where.

Israel’s military said its air force targeted a Hezbollah arms depot on the border village of Kfar Kila, adding that militants were inside at the time.