The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says its strike on Beirut has eliminated Fuad Shukr, the most senior military commander of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group.
The IDF said the strike was a reprisal for the rocket ambush that killed 12 children and more Israelis in Majdal Shams over the weekend.
After the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the town and promised a “severe response”.
Israel and the United States blamed Hezbollah for the strike but the sect denied responsibility.
“Fuad Shukr ‘Sayyid Muhsan’, Hezbollah’s Most Senior Military Commander and Hassan Nasrallah’s Right-Hand Man Shukr has directed Hezbollah’s attacks on the State of Israel since October 8th, and he was the commander responsible for the murder of the 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel on Saturday evening, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years,” the ISF said in a statement late Tuesday.
“He was also responsible for the majority of Hezbollah’s most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs.”
Hezbollah has not yet confirmed Shukhr’s death but said he was in a building that was hit at the time.
In a statement on Wednesday, the armed group said it is “still waiting for the result” as the rubble was being cleared from the site.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, said President Joe Biden believed a war between Israel and Hezbollah could be avoided.
The Cable
