Jerusalem (EFE).- The Palestinian group Hamas confirmed the death of its chief of operations in Lebanon, Muhammad Shaheen, on Monday in an Israel Defense Forces drone strike in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, confirmed Shaheen’s death in a statement, identifying him as “Abu al-Baraa.”
“The Al-Qassam Brigades mourn Abu al-Baraa’s heroic martyr and remember his pioneering role and his special footprints on the path of jihad, resistance, and confrontation with the Zionist enemy, which began in the Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000-2005) and reached the battle of the storming of Al-Aqsa (the Oct. 7 attack and the subsequent war),” the statement said.
The Hamas movement also mourned his death and denounced the army for extending its attacks to the “diaspora,” referring to Lebanon, where many Palestinians fled after Israel’s establishment.
On Monday, Israel carried out a drone strike on a vehicle in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the Israeli border, hours before an extension to a ceasefire that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, was due to expire.
The Lebanese National News Agency (ANN) reported that the bombing targeted a vehicle on the sea access road to Sidon and that the car burnt after being hit by the projectile.
Shortly afterward, the IDF confirmed that it was a joint operation led by the Internal Security Agency (Shin Bet) in which the aircraft targeted Shaheen, accused of planning attacks against Israel from Lebanon under the direction of Iran.
On Nov. 27, 2024, an initial 60-day cessation of hostilities came into force, providing for the withdrawal of Israeli forces present on Lebanese territory and limiting the possession of weapons in the border area to the Lebanese security forces.
The duration of the pact was extended until Feb. 18, as Israel considered that the Lebanese army had not fulfilled its obligations regarding deployment in Israeli-controlled territory.
The text calls for the dismantling of non-state weapons production facilities and also prohibits both sides from attacking each other (which Israel has not respected) while reserving the right to “self-defense.” EFE
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