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Escalation of Violence: Hamas chief in Lebanon, was killed in an Israeli airstrike 

Escalation of Violence: Hamas chief in Lebanon, was killed in an Israeli airstrike 
Monday 30 September 2024 - 08:36
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In a significant escalation of hostilities, Fatah Charif Abou al-Amine, the Hamas chief in Lebanon, was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence in the al-Bass Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. The attack, described by Hamas as a "terrorist and criminal assassination," also claimed the lives of his wife, son, and daughter.

This incident marks a troubling intensification of Israel's military operations in Lebanon, which have ramped up since September 23. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting extensive airstrikes in response to ongoing exchanges of fire with Hezbollah. These strikes aim to facilitate the return of Israeli residents displaced by the conflict.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a leftist Palestinian faction, reported earlier that three of its members were killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut—the first targeting the Lebanese capital since Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023. This action underscores a broader strategy by Israel to eliminate Hamas leadership within Lebanon amidst its ongoing military campaign against the group in Gaza.

Since the onset of hostilities, Israel has specifically targeted Hamas officials in Lebanon. Notably, on January 2, 2024, Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas's deputy leader, was killed near Beirut in an Israeli operation. Furthermore, an August strike in Saida resulted in the death of Samer al-Hajj, another Hamas official.

The humanitarian situation is dire. According to United Nations estimates, approximately 250,000 Palestinian refugees reside in Lebanon today—many having fled their homes during the establishment of Israel in 1948. Under a longstanding agreement, the Lebanese army does not deploy within Palestinian camps; instead, security is managed by various Palestinian factions.

As tensions rise and violence escalates, the implications for both Lebanese civilians and regional stability remain grave. The international community watches closely as calls for restraint grow louder amidst fears of further deterioration in this already volatile region.


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