Senior Hamas-allied leader killed in Israeli drone strike south of Beirut

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 22 April 2025 10:16 AM

A high-ranking Lebanese military leader allied with the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has been killed in an Israeli drone strike against an area southeast of the capital Beirut, in the latest violation of a shaky ceasefire agreement with the Arab country.

According to the Lebanese Civil Defense, “an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle targeted a car” near the coastal town of Damour, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Beirut, on Tuesday, and rescuers recovered a man’s body from the vehicle.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strike killed Sheikh Hussein Atoui, a leader of the al-Fajr Forces – the military wing of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya (the Islamic Group), one of Lebanon’s factions which is closely linked to Hamas.

The Fajr Forces claimed responsibility for multiple attacks against vital targets and installations deep inside the Israeli-occupied territories during more than a year of cross-border hostilities, including two months of all out war, before a November ceasefire.

The resistance fighters used to carry out attacks against the occupying regime mainly from the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, where the group once enjoyed wide influence.

Atoui was originally from Hebbariyeh area in the Hasbaya district of southern Lebanon, and worked as a professor at the Lebanese University.

He had already been targeted by an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon several months ago, and had survived that attack.

Following significant losses sustained over nearly 14 months of conflict and the failure to meet its objectives in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel was compelled to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah. This ceasefire took effect on November 27.

Since the commencement of the agreement, the occupying forces have been launching assaults on Lebanon, breaching the ceasefire, which includes airstrikes throughout the Arab nation.

On January 27, Lebanon announced its decision to extend the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.

Although the deadline of February 18 has passed, Israel continues to maintain its occupation of five significant regions in southern Lebanon, namely Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, all situated near the border.

Lebanon has condemned the continued presence of Israeli military forces, viewing it as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and the established timeline for withdrawal. Senior officials in Beirut have expressed their commitment to take “all necessary measures” to remove the occupying troops from the nation.