Israel’s military claimed responsibility for an airstrike in Beirut on Tuesday that killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s most senior military commander. The strike was a retaliation for a cross-border rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, which killed 12 youths.
Israeli officials accused Shukr of orchestrating the recent rocket attack, as well as several previous attacks on Israeli civilians. The airstrike, which targeted a building in southern Beirut, also resulted in the deaths of a woman and two children, and injured 74 others, according to Lebanon’s public health ministry.
🇱🇧EXCLUSIVE: NEW FOOTAGE OF THE MOMENT ISRAEL HIT BERUIT
The strike appeared to be extremely precise; nearby buildings and shops remain largely untouched, with minimal visible damage. https://t.co/OfZP2jA0MH pic.twitter.com/fpB2CDQEsu
— ChoosyBluesy (@ChoosyBluesy) July 30, 2024
Fuad Shukr, also known as “Sayyid Muhsan,” was a key military strategist for Hezbollah and served as the right-hand man to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He was implicated in multiple deadly operations, including the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 American servicemen. The U.S. State Department had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
Despite Hezbollah’s initial denial of involvement in the rocket attack that prompted the airstrike, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Hezbollah had “crossed a red line.” He asserted that Shukr’s death demonstrated Israel’s resolve to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on its citizens. Hezbollah official Ali Ammar condemned the strike, calling it a “stupid act” and warning that Israel would face consequences.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli attack, noting its proximity to one of Beirut’s largest hospitals. The Israeli military, meanwhile, emphasized the precision and necessity of targeting Shukr, noting his central role in Hezbollah’s military operations.
The killing of Fuad Shukr is likely to exacerbate tensions in the region and could lead to further retaliatory actions by Hezbollah.
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