Israeli Military Claims Death of Top Hezbollah Commander in Airstrike

The Israeli military claims to have killed Fouad Shukur, a senior Hezbollah commander, in an airstrike. Shukur was accused of orchestrating the 1983 Beirut bombing, among other attacks. Hezbollah has not confirmed his death. If true, Shukur's death marks the highest-ranking Hezbollah casualty since 2016.

The Israeli military has announced that it successfully targeted and killed senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in an airstrike. Shukur, long blamed by Israel for various attacks including a recent rocket strike, had also been accused by the United States of planning the 1983 Beirut bombing that killed 241 U.S. service members.

According to Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, Shukur was responsible for the attack on Majdal Shams that resulted in the deaths of 12 youths. Although Hezbollah denied involvement in this incident, and has not confirmed Shukur's death, Israeli officials insist on the accuracy of their claim.

If validated, Shukur would be the highest-ranking Hezbollah leader to be killed since 2016. Shukur was a top adviser to Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah and played a key role in the organization's missile program and southern Lebanon operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)