Israel carried out a targeted airstrike in the Lebanese port city of Sidon, killing a senior commander of Hamas, Hassan
Farhat, alongside his adult son and daughter.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, claiming Farhat was responsible for orchestrating multiple attacks on Israeli
soldiers and civilians during the ongoing conflict that began after the Gaza war in October 2023.
In its statement, Israel’s military highlighted Farhat’s involvement in several high-profile attacks, including a rocket strike on the
Israeli town of Safed in February 2024, which resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier. The strike, which took place in
the early hours of Friday, targeted an apartment in a densely populated residential building in Sidon. Palestinian
officials confirmed the deaths of Farhat and his family, with eyewitnesses reporting heavy damage to the apartment
and neighboring buildings, causing panic in the area.
The attack has raised concerns about the escalation of violence in Lebanon, with the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf
Salam condemning it as a “flagrant attack on Lebanese sovereignty” and a breach of the ceasefire agreement
established in November 2023. Salam called for “maximum pressure” on Israel to end such attacks, especially in
civilian areas, which he described as undermining Lebanon’s stability.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported that at least three individuals were killed in the strike, and emergency
teams rushed to the scene to recover the bodies.
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This airstrike is part of a broader Israeli military strategy targeting Hamas militants operating in Lebanon, as tensions
between Israel and Hezbollah remain high. Earlier in the week, Israel conducted a similar strike in southern Beirut,
killing a Hezbollah Palestinian liaison officer, signaling Israel’s continued military focus on Palestinian militant groups
in Lebanon despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Israel claims its actions are in response to rocket fire from Lebanon, although Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the attacks.
Lebanese officials have strongly condemned these Israeli airstrikes, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement and concerns over the safety of civilians.
Under the November ceasefire, Israel is supposed to withdraw its forces from certain positions in southern Lebanon,
but Israel has failed to meet deadlines and continues to maintain its military presence.
Tensions have been steadily rising as Hezbollah and other militant groups in Lebanon clash with Israeli forces,
complicating efforts to secure lasting peace in the region. The situation in Lebanon remains volatile as Israel
maintains its focus on eradicating Hamas and Hezbollah operatives in the country.
The airstrike in Sidon, along with the continuing strikes in southern Beirut, highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ever-present risks of escalation in the region.
