Netanyahu cuts short US visit after missile attack on Majdal Shams

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided Saturday to expedite his return from Washington to Tel Aviv after a missile attack on Golan Heights’ Majdal Shams town killed 11 people.

Earlier, he was scheduled to return on Sunday evening.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli authorities said that 11 people were killed and 37 others injured in the missile attack.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed that his return to Israel be brought forward as quickly as possible,” Netanyahu’s office said on X.

Netanyahu, during his visit to Washington, met with President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, and also delivered a speech before the US Congress.

While the Israeli army accused Hezbollah of the attack, the group denied responsibilityt.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon’s border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its war on Gaza, where it has killed nearly 39,300 people since last October.