Israel Lebanon Strike Kills Hamas Member: Palestinian Official

AFP/APP

Beirut, Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike on the Lebanese port city of Sidon killed a member of the Palestinian group Hamas on Friday, a Palestinian official said.

The strike targeted a flat in a residential area of the city, killing the official along with his adult son and daughter, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

An AFP correspondent reported that the fourth-floor apartment was still on fire after the strike, which caused heavy damage to the building and surrounding structures, sparking panic in the densely populated neighbourhood.

Lebanese state media reported the 3:45 am (0045 GMT) strike on Sidon, confirming that at least three people were killed.

“A hostile drone raided a residential apartment… causing two successive explosions that led to a fire and extensive damage,” reported the state-run National News Agency (NNA). Emergency workers recovered “the bodies of three martyrs,” NNA added.

Earlier this week, Israel struck southern Beirut, killing a Hezbollah-Palestinian liaison officer — marking only the second Israeli raid on the capital since the November ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.

The Lebanese health ministry said four people were killed in that strike, including a woman.

Lebanese leaders condemned the attack, while Israel claimed it was a response to recent unclaimed rocket fire — which Hezbollah has denied involvement in.

Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into all-out conflict last September, with Israeli air strikes continuing despite the ceasefire announced on November 27.

As per the terms of the truce, Hezbollah is required to redeploy its forces north of the Litani River — approximately 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border — and dismantle all military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

In return, Israel is supposed to withdraw across the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border, but has missed two deadlines and continues to hold five positions it considers “strategic.”