Israel says, it has killed a top Hezbollah commander after carrying out a strike on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut yesterday. At least one person was killed and several others wounded in the explosion in Dahiyeh, a stronghold of the Lebanese armed group. The Israeli military says, Fuad Shukr was the target of an intelligence-based elimination by fighter jets.
Officials say, he was responsible for a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday which killed 12 people, mostly children. Hezbollah has denied any involvement in that attack. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the blatant Israeli aggression. He described it as a criminal act in clear and explicit violation of international law.
In a brief post on social media after the attack, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, Hezbollah crossed the red line. However, it is not yet clear if Fuad Shukr was killed in the attack. Security sources in Beirut say the intended target was not in the building. Hezbollah has not yet made a statement. An Israeli official has confirmed that Israel gave the US notice of its Beirut strike. Fuad Shukr is believed to be a senior advisor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the US has previously said.
