Israel Targets Hamas Commander in Sidon, Escalating Tensions with Lebanon

Israel’s recent drone strike in Sidon killed Hamas commander Hassan Farhat and his family, prompting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to denounce the attack as a breach of sovereignty and a ceasefire violation. This strike highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with concerns over further escalation of hostilities and regional stability.

On Friday, Israel conducted a strike in Sidon, Lebanon, resulting in the death of Hassan Farhat, a commander of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, along with his adult son and daughter. This operation has been described by Israeli military statements as a targeted effort to eliminate a terrorist responsible for orchestrating attacks against Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict that ensued following the Gaza war outbreak in October 2023.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has condemned the strike, branding it a “flagrant attack on Lebanese sovereignty” and asserting that it violates the ceasefire established on November 27 between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli military claims that Farhat was accountable for various attacks, including a deadly rocket strike on the Israeli town of Safed earlier this year.

The attack occurred at approximately 3:45 AM and involved a drone strike on a residential apartment in Sidon, which caused significant destruction to the building and surrounding area, leading to panic among local residents. Lebanese state media documented at least three fatalities from the strike, reporting on the subsequent chaos that ensued.

In the wake of this incident, Prime Minister Salam has called for “maximum pressure on Israel” to cease its ongoing assaults on residential areas in Lebanon. This is not an isolated occurrence, as Israel previously targeted a Hezbollah officer in south Beirut, indicating a continuation of hostilities despite the existing ceasefire which aims to establish military redeployment for both parties.

Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically last September, and even with the ceasefire in place, operations and strikes persist. Under the terms of this truce, Hezbollah is required to relocate its forces north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure, while Israel is also expected to withdraw its troops from strategically significant positions along the UN-demarcated Blue Line, creating further complexities in an already delicate situation.

In summary, Israel has intensified its military operations in Lebanon, resulting in the death of a Hamas commander, which has drawn sharp condemnation from Lebanese leadership. The event has raised concerns about breaches of sovereignty and the effectiveness of the ceasefire established in November. The ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional stability as tensions persist between Israel and Hezbollah, complicating future peace efforts.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com