Egypt Daily News – The Israeli military announced today, Monday, that it targeted Hamas military leader Mohamed Shahin in an airstrike on his vehicle in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
The Israeli army stated that Shahin was involved in launching rockets towards Israeli territory. An Israeli drone targeted the vehicle in Sidon, just before the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces tomorrow.
A Lebanese security source said that the target of the Israeli airstrike was a Hamas operative, specifically Mohammed Shahin. Reuters also reported from two Lebanese security sources that the strike targeted a Hamas leader.
The Lebanese security source further revealed that DNA tests are being conducted to confirm the identity of the individual targeted in Sidon. The Jerusalem Post quoted an Israeli official stating that the Hamas leader targeted in the airstrike had been planning an attack against Israelis.
Lebanese National News Agency reported: “An Israeli enemy drone targeted a vehicle” on the coastal highway near the Sidon Municipal Stadium, adding that “the driver was still inside.” The Ministry of Health confirmed that one person was martyred in the Israeli airstrike.
The Israeli radio reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left his trial session to approve the liquidation operation. The Prime Minister’s office also stated that Netanyahu interrupted his testimony in court in order to hold an urgent security consultation.
Israeli Incursion
Sources reported that Israeli forces had infiltrated the town of Kfar Shuba in southern Lebanon, after withdrawing from it about three weeks ago.
A Lebanese security source informed Al Jazeera that Israeli tanks, accompanied by a bulldozer, had spread inside Kfar Shuba and its western surroundings.
Simultaneously with the incursion, an Israeli drone targeted the vicinity of Kfar Shuba School again, after it had been destroyed in a previous Israeli airstrike. Israeli warplanes also carried out airstrikes on several towns in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.
The airstrikes targeted the outskirts of the towns of Halabta and Harabta, as well as the hills surrounding the town of Bouday, causing fires to break out. The Israeli army stated that it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
Rejection of Extension
In parallel, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naeem Qassem announced the rejection of the justifications for extending the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Qassem emphasized the necessity of Israel’s withdrawal from the south by tomorrow, adding that Hezbollah has committed to respecting the agreement, while Israel has violated it hundreds of times.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Lebanese, saying that their current task is to dismantle Hezbollah, and if they do not do so, Israel will. Netanyahu further stated that Israel is committed to the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and urged the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah.
During his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Rubio, the Israeli Prime Minister stressed the importance of implementing the United Nations’ resolutions regarding Lebanon.
