Live updates on Israel and Gaza: Israel strikes after deadly attack ‘deep inside’ Lebanon

The meetings between US officials and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington DC last week were “very constructive” and certainly did not deter us from closing the remaining gaps while simultaneously pursuing the hostage deal, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday.

“We still believe that these gaps can be closed … and that we can move forward. But as I said, of course it will require compromise and leadership,” he said.

“There is no indication at this point that Hezbollah’s attack on the Golan Heights this weekend will have a negative impact on these talks,” Kirby added.

Kirby also rejected the notion that Vice President Kamala Harris had a different message to Netanyahu than President Joe Biden, saying there was “no difference” between their messages and reporting that suggested otherwise was “regrettable and inaccurate.”

“There was no difference between the two, the president and vice president told the prime minister. Same points, same emphasis – the commitment and reaffirmation to help Israel continue to defend itself against these threats. The same reaffirmation by the president and vice president that we want the ceasefire agreement to be implemented because it can improve the humanitarian situation. And of course, that the hostages are brought home to their families,” Kirby said.

When asked why Harris held her own meeting when their message was the same, Kirby defended Harris.

“The Vice President was unable to be in town for the meeting in the Oval Office. Because she has been a full partner in all of our foreign policy, but particularly in this administration’s Middle East policy, she felt it was important to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu as well,” Kirby said.

-Molly Nagle of ABC News

The United States “strongly condemns this weekend’s horrific attack” that killed children playing soccer in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday.

According to the Israeli military, at least 12 people were killed. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attack, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that “all indications” point to Hezbollah being responsible for the attack.

Kirby also blamed Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying: “It was their rockets fired from territory they controlled.”

“The United States will continue to support efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution along the blue line that will, first, end these horrific attacks once and for all and, second, allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens on both sides of the border to return safely to their homes,” Kirby said.

Kirby stressed that US support for Israeli security remains “iron force” even against all Iranian-backed threats, adding: “We believe there is still time and space for a diplomatic solution.”

Asked whether the US government was urging Israel to be cautious in its response, Kirby said Hezbollah had already carried out the first attack on Israel in October and Israel had “every right to respond”. However, he was confident that a larger conflict could be avoided.

“Nobody wants a major war and I am confident we can avoid that outcome. Whatever their response, I leave it to the Israelis to decide,” Kirby said.

–Molly Nagle of ABC News

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was given authority on Sunday to decide on the nature and timing of a response to the suspected Hezbollah attack on the town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights.

During a meeting in Tel Aviv, members of Israel’s security cabinet gave Netanyahu and Gallant authority to draw up a retaliation plan for the attack that killed 12 people, including children playing soccer, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

“The cabinet members authorized the prime minister and the defense minister to decide how and when to respond to the terrorist organization Hezbollah,” the statement said.

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attack. Both the Israel Defense Forces and the White House blamed Hezbollah for the attack.

-Jordana Miller of ABC News

The White House on Sunday blamed Hezbollah for Saturday’s rocket attack on the Golan Heights that reportedly killed children playing soccer.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, at least 12 people were killed in the attack over the weekend in Majdal Shams, a town in the Golan Heights.

“We have been in ongoing discussions with our Israeli and Lebanese counterparts since yesterday’s horrific attack in northern Israel that killed several children playing soccer,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement. “This attack was carried out by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket and it was fired from territory they control. It should be universally condemned.”

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attack in Majdal Shams. However, the Israeli military said a Hezbollah rocket was used in the attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that “all indications” point to Hezbollah being responsible for the attack.

-Fritz Farrow of ABC News