Israel confirms killing Hamas leader in Lebanon

JERUSALEM -- Israel confirmed on Monday the killing of Fateh Sherif, the leader of Hamas in Lebanon, during an Israeli raid in southern Lebanon.

A joint statement from the Israeli military and the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency, indicated that the Israeli Air Force targeted Sherif, citing his role in coordinating Hamas's military and political activities in Lebanon, including recruitment, weapon acquisition, and facilitating the group's efforts in the region. The statement also mentioned Sherif's involvement in coordinating with Hezbollah.

According to Lebanese military sources, Sherif was killed alongside his wife and two sons during the attack on their home in the Rashidieh camp early Monday.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported that this operation marked the first targeting of the camp since the escalation of strikes against Lebanon.

In a statement, Hamas expressed that Sherif had joined "the leaders and martyrs that preceded him," honoring his commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have sharply escalated following Israel's shift in military focus from Gaza to the northern front, intensifying clashes that began on Oct 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel in solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes in Lebanon.