Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 09:26 am
Jerusalem: The Israeli military said it had acted to “eliminate” Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut after he was implicated in a rocket strike against the occupied Golan, among other attacks.
Details of the Incident:
The official statement by the Israeli military confirmed that Fuad Shukr was a senior military commander in Hezbollah and the head of its strategic unit. Targeted and killed in the Beirut area, it was deemed necessary to neutralize him because he had come to represent an important part of the threat held by the military operation.
Accusations Against Shukr:
Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari blamed Shukr for being behind the slaughter in Majdal Shams, where 12 children had been killed in northern Israel on the soccer field after Hezbollah launched an Iranian Falaq-1 rocket on Saturday evening. “Fuad Shukr was a senior terrorist who has the blood of Israelis and many others on his hands,” Hagari told in a video briefing.
His Role in Hezbollah:
Shukr was introduced as the right-hand man to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, serving as his adviser in the arrangements and implementation of attacks. Since the start of the Gaza war, Shukr has been leading Hezbollah’s offensive activity against Israel. He allegedly leads Hezbollah with its most advanced arms, including precision-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs.
Historical involvement:
The Israeli military further outlined that Shukr was deeply involved in terrorist activities in the past. He was directly involved in the abduction and killing of three Israeli soldiers named Benyamin Avraham, Adi Avitan, and Omar Sawaid in the 1990s while patrolling near Har Dov. Since then, the statement continued, he has been planning and directing a series of terror attacks on innocent civilians.
Israel’s Stand:
Notwithstanding the escalation, Israel indicated keenness to avoid a broader conflict with Hezbollah. “Hezbollah’s ongoing aggression and brutal attacks are dragging the people of Lebanon and the entire Middle East into a wider escalation,” Hagari noted. “While we prefer to resolve hostilities without a wider war, the IDF is fully prepared for any scenario.”
The assassination of Fuad Shukr is one of the big points in the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. The readiness of Israel for further escalation will only add more to the situation, which has already gained a never-ending burning heat in the area.