The Hamas terrorist group confirmed on Monday the death of its head of operations in Lebanon, Muhammad Shaheen, due to an Israeli drone strike on the vehicle in which he was travelling in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, confirmed Shaheen's death in a statement, identifying him by the nickname "Abu al-Baraa."
Israel on Monday used a drone to strike a vehicle in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, some 50 kilometres north of the border with Israel, just hours before the expiry of the ceasefire extension that came into effect on 27 November.
The Lebanese National News Agency (ANN) reported that The bombing was directed against a vehicle travelling on the sea road leading to Sidon and the car was completely burnt after the impact of the projectile.
Shortly afterward, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it was a joint operation, led by the Shin Bet, in which the air force attacked Shaheen, responsible for planning attacks against Israel from Lebanon under the direction of Iran.
On November 27, a cessation of hostilities initially planned for 60 days came into effect. It provided for the withdrawal of Israeli forces present in Lebanese territory and for the possession of weapons in the border strip to be limited to the hands of the Lebanese security forces.
The duration of the pact was later extended until February 18, Israel believed that the Lebanese Army had not fulfilled its commitments to deploy in territory under Israeli control.
The text calls for the dismantling of non-state weapons production facilities and also prohibits both sides from carrying out attacks against each other, although it reserves its right to “self-defense.”