Tyre, Lebanon – Hamas confirmed that Fateh Sherif Abu el-Amin, its senior leader in Lebanon, was killed early this morning during an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.
The strike, which hit a residential home in a Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Tyre, also claimed the lives of his wife and two children, according to Hamas officials.
The targeted strike is part of a series of retaliatory actions by Israel as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, particularly following the deadly October 7, 2023 attack launched by Hamas on Israeli territory.
The airstrike marks another major blow to Hamas’ leadership network in Lebanon, with the group denouncing Israel’s actions as “cruel and deliberate aggression.”
The home of Abu el-Amin, located within the heavily populated refugee camp, was reduced to rubble, with rescue teams scrambling to find survivors amidst the debris.
Local media outlets reported widespread panic within the camp as residents feared additional strikes. Witnesses described scenes of destruction, with ambulances rushing to the scene to transport the injured.
Strike in Beirut Targets Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Leaders
In a separate incident earlier in the night, Israeli warplanes struck a residential building in Beirut’s Kola neighborhood, killing three high-ranking leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), another militant faction involved in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
This attack marks the first time that Israeli forces have launched a strike within the Lebanese capital since the outbreak of hostilities in October last year.
The PFLP has long been one of the groups actively engaged in combat against Israel, and its leaders have been prominent figures in coordinating attacks against Israeli targets.
The deaths of the three leaders represent a significant loss for the group, which has vowed to continue its fight.
The identities of the leaders killed in the attack were not immediately disclosed, but Israeli officials confirmed their involvement in directing military activities against Israeli forces.
Growing Tensions Between Israel and Lebanon
Lebanon has been a significant base for Hamas leaders since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with key figures seeking refuge in Palestinian refugee camps scattered across the country.
Israeli authorities have intensified their operations against Hamas and its allies in Lebanon, aiming to dismantle the leadership infrastructure coordinating attacks from within the region.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have escalated dramatically since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, an operation masterminded by senior Hamas figures, including Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of the group’s political bureau.
Al-Arouri, widely regarded as the architect of the October 7 offensive, was killed in Lebanon earlier this year in January during another Israeli airstrike.
His death was seen as a significant tactical victory for Israel in its effort to weaken Hamas leadership and disrupt its command structure.
As the conflict stretches on, Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon have become increasingly frequent, leading to growing concerns over civilian casualties and the potential for wider regional conflict.
The international community has urged both sides to exercise restraint and protect civilians caught in the crossfire.
However, with the recent attacks, the cycle of violence between Israel and Palestinian factions entrenched in Lebanon shows no signs of de-escalating, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.