- Hezbollah confirms commander died in Israeli strike
- The strike, which occurred on Tuesday, also killed four others
- Shukr’s body was found in the rubble on Wednesday
- The Israeli military described the operation as an “intelligence-based elimination,”
- Shukr targetted in response to a recent rocket attack in Golan Heights
Hezbollah confirms commander died in Israeli strike
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander, in an Israeli air strike in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. The strike, which occurred on Tuesday, also killed four others, including two children. Shukr’s body was found in the rubble on Wednesday.
The Israeli military described the operation as an “intelligence-based elimination,” targeting Shukr in response to a recent rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people. Israel accuses Shukr of planning the Golan Heights attack – which killed mostly children – but Hezbollah denies any involvement.
The air strike hit a building in Haret Hreik, a heavily fortified area within the Dahiyeh suburb, known for its Hezbollah checkpoints. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strike as a “criminal act.”
A Hezbollah response to this attack is highly anticipated. In the past, the heavily armed, Iranian-supported group has responded to the killings of senior members by firing barrages of rockets into Israel.
Shortly before Hezbollah’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a televised speech acknowledging that “challenging days lie ahead”.
He added: “Since the strike in Beirut there are threats sounding from all directions. We are prepared for any scenario.”