ON BRINK OF ALL-OUT WAR

Israel hits Hezbollah after rocket kills 12 football kids

- PAUL BYRNE and SOPHIE HUSKISSON

FEARS of all-out war in the Middle East are growing after Israel struck Hezbollah in retaliation for a rocket attack that killed 12 children on a football pitch.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the group would "pay a heavy price" for the strike at Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The victims were aged 10 to 16.

Its military has since carried out a series of seven air strikes against Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon.

Hezbollah "categorically denies" carrying out Saturday's attack and warned against any new "adventure" in Lebanon.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said the group had "crossed all the red lines here".