The Middle East is heating up again as Israel launched a deadly airstrike on Friday, killing a top Hamas commander, Hassan Farhat, in Sidon, southern Lebanon; along with his son and daughter.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying Farhat was responsible for a deadly rocket attack on Safed last year that killed and injured several Israeli soldiers. The military vowed to continue hunting down Hamas fighters “wherever they operate.”
Farhat, a senior figure in Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, was praised by the group for his long-standing role in the fight against Israel.
The strike has shaken the already fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s powerful militant group, Hezbollah, which had been in place since November. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, condemned the attack, accusing Israel of trying to “expand its aggression” across Lebanon.
The Lebanese Prime Minister’s office also weighed in, calling the strike a clear violation of the U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Hostilities have been flaring up in recent weeks. Israel has carried out multiple strikes in Hezbollah-controlled areas of Beirut, while rockets have been launched from Lebanon into Israel.
Hezbollah also criticized the U.S. and other international mediators, accusing them of turning a blind eye to Israel’s actions.
As the situation intensifies, all eyes are on the region; and the ceasefire may be hanging by a thread.