An Israeli airstrike reportedly killed a senior Hamas member deep inside Lebanon in the southern city of Sidon on Friday, Aug. 9. Sidon is about 40 miles from the Israel-Lebanon border. The strike hit a car carrying a Hamas security official and another occupant inside; both were killed in the attack and some bystanders were also hurt.
Israeli forces have been carrying out strikes against Hamas and Hezbollah over the past 10 months, coinciding with Israel’s war in Gaza.
While most of the fighting has been happening near the Israel-Lebanon border, an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah commander in Beirut and a Hamas political leader was killed in a suspected Israel bombing in Tehran, Iran.
Iran and Hezbollah have vowed revenge for the killings of the two militant group members. Hezbollah launched drones into Israeli territory on Tuesday, Aug. 6, as fears of a more widespread conflict grow among the international community.
This latest escalatory act comes amid a push by the United States for another cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have died since Israel war against Hamas began, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. United Nations officials also warn that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening.
