Israeli Drone Kills 2 Near Sidon Targeting Hamas Official

Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two civilians and one Hezbollah member, according to official reports. Meanwhile, a high-ranking Hamas official narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in the coastal town of Jadra, situated roughly 40 kilometers from Israel. This event marks one of the deadliest incidents away from the Israel-Lebanon border in the last four months of conflict, targeting a significant figure within Hamas, as per Palestinian security sources who preferred to remain anonymous.

The Lebanese National News Agency attributed the strike on the Hamas official’s vehicle to an Israeli drone. Lebanese security sources identified the intended target as Bassel Saleh, a Hamas officer responsible for recruitment, who survived with injuries and was hospitalized.

Following the initial drone attack on Saleh’s vehicle, a subsequent strike in the same area resulted in two fatalities, including a Hezbollah member, as confirmed by the organization. Despite sustaining injuries, Saleh, tasked with recruitment in the West Bank, is currently receiving medical treatment.

Contrary to some reports, a Hamas representative in Lebanon stated that no members of their group were killed in the Jadra incident. An official from the Risala scout association, linked with the Hezbollah-aligned Amal Movement, reported two civilian deaths. Hezbollah later announced the loss of one of its members in the same event, identifying him as Khalil Fares.

Israel has not commented on these incidents. At the scene, evidence of the attack included a damaged car, a burnt motorcycle, and bloodstains near the beach.

Following these events, Hezbollah declared it had seized an Israeli Skylark drone, amidst several Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese villages and reciprocal attacks from Hezbollah on Israeli positions.

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, cross-border fire has claimed at least 230 lives in Lebanon, including Hezbollah fighters and 28 civilians, based on an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of nine soldiers and six civilians.

A recent Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon wounded a Hezbollah commander, prompting a response from Hezbollah with rocket fire into northern Israel. Additionally, an attack, believed to be conducted by Israel, killed Hamas’ deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut earlier this year, marking the most high-profile Hamas casualty during the ongoing war.