The Syrian government holds "Israel" accountable for committing a brutal massacre in Majdal Shams on Saturday, as reported by SANA on Sunday.

According to a statement published by the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, "Israel's" actions are an attempt to escalate tensions in the region by scapegoating the Lebanese Resistance over the incident as a means for the Israeli regime to justify its daily aggressions.

"As part of attempts to escalate the situation in the region, the Israeli occupation entity committed a heinous crime on Saturday in Majdal Shams town and then held the Lebanese National Resistance accountable for this crime," the statement read.

It further condemned the systematic aggressions committed by the Israeli regime and warned that the current pace of events would trigger a region-wide escalation.

Syria also reaffirmed that the people in the occupied Golan, who have persevered in maintaining their Syrian identity for decades, will not be deceived by "Israel's" scapegoating strategies.

The statement added that the residents of the Syrian Golan remain an integral part of the Resistance against the occupier and its aggressive policies that violate their land and identity.

Read more: Hezbollah bombards Israeli settlements in response to massacres

On Saturday, an Israeli Iron Dome interceptor missile struck a playground in the town, which is made up entirely of Druze Syrians, killing at least 12 civilians, including children, and wounding at least a dozen others.

"Israel" was quick to pin the blame on Hezbollah and claimed that the Lebanese group targeted the town with an "Iranian rocket".

Last night, residents of Majdal Shams held a funeral ceremony for the victims of the Israeli attack.

The Israeli Channel 13 reported that residents of Majdal Shams attacked members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party who attended the funeral.

Meanwhile, the Israeli news website Walla mentioned that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was met with rejection and protests upon his arrival in the town. 

Footage from the funeral ceremony of the martyrs of the Israeli massacre in Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian #Golan.#Syria https://t.co/tLwdbDgGaP

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 28, 2024