Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Commander in Sidon, Lebanon
The pre-dawn attack also resulted in multiple civilian casualties, sparking significant political and public outcry.
On Friday, a pre-dawn airstrike conducted by the Israeli military in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon, resulted in the death of Hamas commander Hassan Farhat, also known as Abu Yasser, along with his two children.
The strike occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time and was described as a drone attack on a residential building, leading to two explosions that caused considerable damage to the area.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the airstrike as a "blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty" and a breach of the ceasefire established on November 27 with Israel.
He called for increased international pressure on Israel to halt its military actions, which have affected various districts, predominantly residential areas.
Salam emphasized the necessity for an immediate cessation of all military operations.
The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed Farhat's death and asserted that he was targeted while sleeping in his apartment on the fourth floor of a seven-story building in Sidon.
Farhat was implicated in orchestrating attacks against Israeli forces during the hostilities that escalated following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023, as stated by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Adraee further elaborated that Farhat had been involved in planning operations against Israel, which included launching rockets at the Israeli town of Safed, resulting in the death of an Israeli soldier earlier in 2024.
The airstrike resulted in significant destruction not only to Farhat’s apartment but also to neighboring properties, sparking panic among residents of Sidon, which is situated approximately 50 kilometers from the Israeli border and 45 kilometers from Beirut.
The area is home to the Ain Al-Helweh refugee camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.
In parallel developments, Prime Minister Salam held meetings with mayors from border villages affected by earlier Israeli military actions, emphasizing government support for rebuilding efforts and the provision of essential services.
Salam outlined a plan in coordination with the World Bank to address infrastructure needs, focusing on roads, water, electricity, and communication.
Local officials have reported the challenging conditions faced by border villages, citing a lack of security and limited state presence.
Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora characterized the recent Israeli airstrike as a blatant violation of United Nations Resolution 1701, which was established to ensure peace along the Lebanese border, and urged countries such as the United States and France to advocate for compliance from Israel.
In light of the ongoing conflict, flyers were discovered in the border town of Kafr Kila, warning residents that their homes would be targeted if associated with Hezbollah, thus exacerbating the tensions in the region.
The strike occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time and was described as a drone attack on a residential building, leading to two explosions that caused considerable damage to the area.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the airstrike as a "blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty" and a breach of the ceasefire established on November 27 with Israel.
He called for increased international pressure on Israel to halt its military actions, which have affected various districts, predominantly residential areas.
Salam emphasized the necessity for an immediate cessation of all military operations.
The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed Farhat's death and asserted that he was targeted while sleeping in his apartment on the fourth floor of a seven-story building in Sidon.
Farhat was implicated in orchestrating attacks against Israeli forces during the hostilities that escalated following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023, as stated by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Adraee further elaborated that Farhat had been involved in planning operations against Israel, which included launching rockets at the Israeli town of Safed, resulting in the death of an Israeli soldier earlier in 2024.
The airstrike resulted in significant destruction not only to Farhat’s apartment but also to neighboring properties, sparking panic among residents of Sidon, which is situated approximately 50 kilometers from the Israeli border and 45 kilometers from Beirut.
The area is home to the Ain Al-Helweh refugee camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.
In parallel developments, Prime Minister Salam held meetings with mayors from border villages affected by earlier Israeli military actions, emphasizing government support for rebuilding efforts and the provision of essential services.
Salam outlined a plan in coordination with the World Bank to address infrastructure needs, focusing on roads, water, electricity, and communication.
Local officials have reported the challenging conditions faced by border villages, citing a lack of security and limited state presence.
Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora characterized the recent Israeli airstrike as a blatant violation of United Nations Resolution 1701, which was established to ensure peace along the Lebanese border, and urged countries such as the United States and France to advocate for compliance from Israel.
In light of the ongoing conflict, flyers were discovered in the border town of Kafr Kila, warning residents that their homes would be targeted if associated with Hezbollah, thus exacerbating the tensions in the region.
