Israeli Strike in Southern Lebanon Kills Three, Including Senior Hamas Official
In a significant escalation of tensions, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residence in southern Lebanon, resulting in the fatalities of at least three individuals, one of whom was a high-ranking member of the Palestinian resistance organization, Hamas. This incident marks a clear breach of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.
Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television has reported that an Israeli drone strike targeted an apartment building on Dalaa Street in Sidon, a port city situated approximately 48 kilometers (29 miles) south of the capital, Beirut.
Hassan Farhat, identified as a member of Hamas, along with his son, were reportedly killed in an airstrike.
The Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, have confirmed the assassination in an official statement. They affirmed their commitment to resistance, vowing that “the path of resistance will continue until the complete liberation of Palestine, and the blood of the martyrs will illuminate the way” for their fighters.
The statement declared that the ongoing targeted attacks by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian children and fighters, both within the occupied territories and beyond, will not deter their commitment to the path of struggle and sacrifice.
The media office of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam released a statement condemning the attack on Sidon, labeling it as a blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and a direct breach of UN Resolution 1701, as well as the security arrangements established to halt hostilities.
Prime Minister Salam has stressed the importance of applying maximum pressure on Israel to halt its ongoing attacks, especially those targeting residential areas. He emphasized that a full cessation of military operations is crucial.
Israeli military forces conducted extensive raids lasting several hours in various regions of southern Lebanon, including Naqoura and Nabatieh, leading to significant damage and casualties.
An Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle near Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon resulted in injuries to two individuals on Thursday morning.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has called on the European Union to intensify its efforts in pressuring Israel to withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories, halt its attacks, and uphold Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Rajji issued the appeal during discussions with Stefano Sannino, the director-general for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Commission, who headed an EU delegation on a visit to Beirut, as reported by Lebanon’s official National News Agency.
The minister expressed strong disapproval of Israel’s ongoing military actions, highlighting the persistent daily strikes in southern Lebanon and the intensified assaults on Beirut.
Israel reached a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah after experiencing substantial losses over a nearly 14-month-long conflict, unable to fulfill its strategic objectives in the offensive against Lebanon. The ceasefire was implemented on November 27.
Since the inception of the agreement, occupying forces have consistently launched near-daily attacks on Lebanon, violating the ceasefire with airstrikes throughout the Arab nation.
