Drone strike killed head of Hamas in Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike in the south of Lebanon killed the head of the Palestinian Hamas group in Lebanon, according to Israel’s military, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on February 17th.
The military announced that it had killed Mohammad Shaheen, the head of Hamas’ operations department in Lebanon. The army claimed that Shaheen has “recently plann[ed] terror attacks, directed and funded by Iran, from Lebanese territory against the citizens of the state of Israel.”
Videos of the attack spread online, showing a car covered in flames. The strike took place close to a Lebanese army checkpoint and Sidon’s municipal sports stadium. The armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, confirmed that Shaheen had been killed in Sidon by an Israeli drone strike.
The strike occurred the day before the deadline for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the south of Lebanon, in line with the ceasefire agreement that brought an end to the conflict of 14 months between Hezbollah and Israel. Israel has since delayed its withdrawal from Lebanon, vowing to remain in five strategic locations in south Lebanon, in its northern border.
While Lebanon and Israel have accused one another of violating a ceasefire, Lebanon agreed to extending the withdrawal deadline from late January to February 18th, following pressure from Israel. The Lebanese government have openly opposed any further delay in Israeli withdrawal, AP reported.
Israel has been launching strikes against Hamas members, Hezbollah and other Lebanese factions, according to Reuters. But Hezbollah has launched rockets and drones into the north of Israel.
Asharq Al-Awsat, AP, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Middle East Eye, BBC
