Israeli drone targets Hamas official in Sidon, kills senior leader

Israel has confirmed a drone strike on a car in Sidon, Lebanon, that killed a senior Hamas commander, Mohammed Shaheen, who was the chief of Hamas's operations in Lebanon.

The strike took place on February 17 morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media.

According to the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency, Shaheen was heavily involved in planning and advancing terror attacks from Lebanon against Israeli civilians, with funding and guidance from Iran.

The IDF stated, “Shaheen was a significant source of knowledge within the organization and was involved throughout the war with advancing various terror attacks, including rocket fire on the Israeli home front.”

Lebanese security sources have confirmed the death of a senior Hamas official in the strike. Hamas, which governs Gaza, maintains a strong presence in Lebanon and shares an alliance with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.

The strike occurred just one day before Israel is scheduled to begin withdrawing from most areas of Lebanon, as per the November 27 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Despite this, Israel plans to remain in five strategic positions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed concern about whether Israel would fully comply with the withdrawal plan, stating that “the sponsors of the deal should bear their responsibility to assist us.”

The Israeli-Lebanese situation has been tense, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. The agreement grants Israel the right to act against imminent threats posed by Hezbollah. Israel has also carried out strikes against Hezbollah military sites in Lebanon, including airstrikes deep within the country.

On February 16, Israel reported that it had carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah military positions in Lebanon's east, while Lebanese official media reported at least three Israeli raids in the country. Additionally, Israel's gunfire reportedly killed a woman in the border town of Hula on February 16, where Israeli troops remain stationed.

In the broader context, Israel has been engaged in military actions in Lebanon since September in response to Hezbollah's persistent rocket attacks, which have displaced 60,000 Israeli civilians. Hezbollah's rocket fire began on October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas launched a violent attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, which ignited the war in Gaza.