Israel and Hezbollah closer than ever to all-out war

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has denied launching a rocket which killed 12 children and teenagers at a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday.

On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had vowed to "hit the enemy hard" after rocket fire from Lebanon killed 12 minors, raisings fears the war in Gaza could spread.

All four Israeli officials, who included a senior defence official and a diplomatic source, spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity and gave no further information about Israel's plans for retaliation.

Israeli forces carried out ground attacks and airstrikes Monday in the southern Gaza Strip, while attention also focused on Israel’s border with Lebanon and the potential for escalation in clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.