News Wrap: Israel strikes at Hezbollah in retaliation after Golan Heights attack

In our news wrap Sunday, Israel said it hit targets in Lebanon in response to Saturday’s deadly Golan Heights rocket strike, Vance stepped up attacks on Harris on the campaign trail in Minnesota, cooler weather is helping firefighters battle California’s Park Fire, Simone Biles returned to the Olympic stage in Paris, and acclaimed Irish writer Edna O’Brien died at age 93.

Read the Full Transcript

John Yang : Good evening, I’m John Yang. Tonight, U.S. and other Western diplomats are busily trying to keep Israel and Hezbollah fighters from escalating attacks along the Israel-Lebanon border. Overnight Israel Senate hit a number of targets in Lebanon in retaliation for Saturday’s rocket strike that killed 12 children and teens on a soccer field in the Israeli Golan Heights.

While that response appeared to have been limited, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed today that Hezbollah will pay a price.

Yoav Gallant, Israeli Minister of Defense (through translator) : I moved to the Army’s Northern Command to see the response plans. This is Hezbollah we are talking about, Iran’s proxy in the region. Hezbollah will not be cleared if this event despite its ridiculous denials, it is committed to shooting and will bear a heavy price for its actions.

John Yang : And fighting in Gaza continues, Gaza health ministry officials say at least 15 Palestinians are dead after two separate Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis. Israel says they’re acting to prevent Hamas from regrouping.

With just 100 days until Election Day, former President Donald Trump’s running mate is stepping up attacks on the presumptive Democratic nominee vice president Kamala Harris. Visiting a Minnesota diner, Senator J.D. Vance criticized Harris on the economy, immigration and policing. That’s a tax don’t seem to be dampening Democrats enthusiasm though the Harris campaign says it raised $200 million in its first week. The campaign says most of the donations came from first time contributors.

In California the weather is helping firefighters combat the state’s largest wildfires so far this year. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are bringing some relief to Butte County, the area that’s about 100 miles north of Sacramento. The park fire there has burned about 600 square miles over a period of four days. Nearly 2,500 firefighters are battling the blaze and they say they’ll try to take advantage of the favorable conditions to make more progress.

At the Paris Olympics, American women dominated in the pool, U.S. swimmers won gold and silver medals in the women’s 100 meter butterfly. Torri Huske finished first edging teammate Gretchen Walsh by for 100th of a second. And Simone Biles made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage after pulling out of the Tokyo Games three years ago, the most decorated gymnast of all time overcame a minor calf injury she aggravated during warm ups after a doctor checked her out and with her lower leg taped, Biles was the top all-around qualifier today and moves on to Thursday’s final.

And Irish writer Edna O’Brien has died. In a career that spanned nearly six decades, O’Brien went from outcast to the pride of Ireland. Her debut novel “Country Girls” told the story of young Irish women struggling in an oppressive male dominated world. It was banned in Ireland but acclaimed abroad. Her more than two are the books challenged our society’s views on gender and religion. O’Brien had recently talked about being treated for cancer. She was 93.

Still to come on PBS News Weekend, how a shortage of pediatricians is putting kids at risk for a lifetime of poor health and one woman’s fight for the rights of Americans with disabilities.