Tel Aviv has described the victims as Israeli civilians. Yet the residents of Majdal Shams are Syrian Druze living under occupation since the illegal occupation of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war.

Residents of the town have refused Israeli citizenship and continue to view themselves as Syrians. The Druze community in Majdal Shams called on Israel not to politicize the incident. However, Israeli officials have used it to reinforce calls for launching a broader war against Lebanon.