On Monday, Israeli forces killed a Hamas leader in the Sidon area of southern Lebanon, according to both the Israeli military and a Hamas official.
The Israeli military identified Muhammad Shaheen as the head of Hamas’ operations department in Lebanon. They stated that Shaheen had been involved in orchestrating plots against Israeli citizens, which were directed and funded by Iran from Lebanese territory.
The Israeli military conducted an airstrike targeting a car in Sidon, which a Hamas official later confirmed resulted in Shaheen’s death. Lebanese security sources confirmed the strike, but Lebanon’s state news agency only reported the recovery of one body from the car without identifying the victim.
This attack comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign targeting Hamas, Hezbollah, and other armed factions operating in Lebanon. These groups have launched multiple rocket, drone, and artillery attacks on northern Israel.
Additionally, Israel had previously carried out a ground offensive in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah fighters as part of broader military operations. Under a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. in November, Israeli troops were initially given 60 days to withdraw, with the deadline extended to February 18. Despite this, Israel has requested to maintain forces at five locations in southern Lebanon.
In related news, Hamas reported that an Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed three police officers in the Gaza Strip, near Rafah. When the strike occurred, the officers were deployed to secure aid in the Al-Shouka area. Initially, two officers were confirmed dead, but a third officer later succumbed to his injuries. The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike, stating that its forces targeted armed individuals near troops in southern Gaza.
