In a tense escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups, a senior Hamas official narrowly escaped an Israeli assassination attempt in Lebanon, as reported by a Palestinian security source to AFP. The strike, which took place south of Beirut, resulted in the tragic deaths of two civilians, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
The incident unfolded on Saturday amidst the backdrop of near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, a Lebanese movement and ally of Hamas. These clashes have intensified since the eruption of war on October 7 between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
While the violence between Israel and Lebanon has predominantly remained concentrated along the border, Saturday’s strike marked a significant escalation, being the second-farthest deadly attack from the frontier in the span of four months of hostilities.
According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, Israeli forces targeted a car in the coastal town of Jadra, situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the border. The intended target of the strike, a senior Hamas official, managed to survive the attack, revealed a Palestinian source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
Tragically, the strike claimed the lives of two civilians who were unfortunate bystanders in the vicinity of the attack. The victims were identified as a vegetable vendor and a Syrian individual traveling on a motorbike, both of whom were in close proximity to the scene when the strike occurred. The Lebanese Risala Scout association, an organization affiliated with the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement and involved in rescue operations, confirmed the casualties.
Despite inquiries into the incident, there has been no immediate comment from Israeli authorities regarding the strike.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a harrowing aftermath, with a damaged car and a charred motorcycle strewn amidst bloodstains near the beach in Jadra. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the escalating violence and tensions prevailing in the region, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict.
The attempted assassination of the Hamas official in Lebanon underscores the widening scope of the conflict, with repercussions extending beyond the borders of the Gaza Strip and Israel. As diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the long-standing conflict, incidents such as these only serve to further entrench animosities and deepen the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.
Sources By Agencies
