HAMAS, Lebanon – An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed a senior Hamas military commander, Israeli security officials said Monday, marking an escalation in the ongoing regional conflict.
Israeli warplanes targeted and “eliminated” Mohammad Shaheen in the coastal city of Sidon, according to a joint statement from the Israeli military and Shin Bet, the country’s domestic security agency.
Israel identified Shaheen as the head of Hamas’ Operations Department in Lebanon and accused him of orchestrating recent attacks against Israeli civilians under Iranian direction and funding.
The military also described him as a key figure in Hamas’ rocket operations from Lebanon.
Footage circulating online showed a car engulfed in flames on a Sidon highway, with black smoke billowing into the sky.
The Lebanon-based pro-Hezbollah broadcaster Al Mayadeen reported that an Israeli drone strike had hit a vehicle at the entrance to the city.
The strike comes just a day before Israel was set to complete its troop withdrawal from Lebanon under a ceasefire agreement that ended 14 months of conflict with Hezbollah.
However, Israel has signaled plans to retain forces in five positions in southern Lebanon beyond the February 18 deadline, raising uncertainty about the fragile truce.
