Israel kills Hezbollah leader in offensive launched in civilian area of Beirut
Ap, Reuters, Afp, Europa Press and Sputnik
The newspaper La Jornada
Wednesday, July 31, 2024, p. 27
Tel Aviv. Israel launched an attack in southern Beirut yesterday, killing three people and wounding 74, adding to growing tensions with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
The Israeli military said the airstrike killed Hezbollah’s top military commander and head of its strategic unit, Fuad Shukr, also known as Sayyid Muhsan, in the Beirut area.
Shukr was the right-hand man and military operations advisor of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s secretary general. He led the attacks against Israel since October 8said the army, which held the Shiite guerrillas responsible for the deaths of 12 children in Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, last Saturday.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack.
Lebanon’s interim prime minister, Nayib Mikati, called the attack criminal act and clear violation of international law.
US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is shaping up to be a Democratic candidate for the White House, said that Israel has right to defend oneself.
Al Jadeed, citing Lebanon’s health ministry, reported that at least 74 civilians were injured and three others, including two children, were killed in the Israeli attack on Beirut.
The two sides have exchanged attacks almost daily for the past 10 months in the context of the war in Gaza, but had so far kept the conflict at a low level.
The Israeli enemy has committed a stupid act of great magnitude, in terms of time and circumstances, by attacking an entirely civilian area.Hezbollah official Ali Ammar told Al Manar television. The Israeli enemy will pay a price for this sooner or later..
Israel last attacked Beirut in January, killing Saleh Arouri, head of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in a bombing raid. It was the first attack since the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006.
