Arab media reported on Monday that the individual killed in Lebanon was Muhammad Shaheen, who headed Hamas’ operations in the region. Shaheen was targeted in a precision airstrike by the Israeli Air Force, just one day before a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was expected to be finalized after a prolonged trial period.
An Israeli source commented on the strike, confirming, “A Hamas official in Lebanon was eliminated.” The source further explained, “The official planned to carry out attacks on Israelis, and was therefore eliminated.”
Preliminary reports suggested that the strike was carried out by an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle, which targeted a car near the entrance to Sidon, a city in southern Lebanon.
The IDF later verified the operation, stating: “A short while ago, in a joint IDF and ISA operation and with the direction of IDF and ISA Intelligence, IAF fighter jets struck and eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Shaheen in the area of Sidon. Shaheen served as the head of Hamas’ Operations Department in Lebanon.”
The IDF continued, “Muhammad Shaheen was eliminated after recently planning terror attacks, directed and funded by Iran, from Lebanese territory against the citizens of the state of Israel.” They added, “Shaheen was a significant source of knowledge within the terrorist organization and was responsible throughout the war for various terror attacks, and rocket launchers aimed at Israeli civilians.”
{Matzav.com Israel}