Israel’s strike in Sidon killed Hamas commander Hassan Farhat and his family, prompting condemnation from Lebanon’s Prime Minister. The attack breaches a ceasefire, with escalation of Israeli operations in Lebanon following recent tensions with Hezbollah. Failure to comply with ceasefire terms continues to pose risks in the region.
On Friday, Israel conducted a strike in Sidon, Lebanon, killing Hassan Farhat, a commander of the militant group Hamas, along with his adult son and daughter. The Israeli military stated that Farhat had orchestrated attacks on Israeli targets during ongoing hostilities since October 2023. One such attack involved rocket fire on Safed that resulted in an Israeli soldier’s death.
The attack on the residential area in Sidon caused significant damage and instigated fears among local residents. Witness accounts confirmed that two explosions followed a strike from a hostile drone, which led to a major fire in the apartment building. At least three casualties were confirmed, according to Lebanese state media.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam labeled the attack a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and criticized it as a breach of the ceasefire established on November 27. He called for increased pressure on Israel to cease its continual strikes targeting residential neighborhoods.
In a related incident, Israel recently targeted south Beirut, killing a Palestinian liaison officer linked to Hezbollah. This strike marked only the second attack on the capital since the ceasefire yet highlighted continuity in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified during conflict last September.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hezbollah was to withdraw its forces to the north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, while Israel was obligated to withdraw from strategic positions near the UN-demarcated Blue Line. However, Israel has failed to meet two deadlines for withdrawal, maintaining a military presence in five key locations.
The recent Israeli strike on Hamas commander Hassan Farhat in Sidon has reignited tensions, with repercussions on Lebanon’s sovereignty and safety of its civilians. The events highlight a failure to uphold the ceasefire agreements and illustrate the ongoing volatility in Israeli-Lebanese relations amid continued military operations. The situation calls for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
