Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed by a strike in Beirut, according to the Israeli military
Two individuals were killed and 20 injured as Israel launched an attack on Beirut, Lebanon's capital, on Tuesday, targeting a senior Hezbollah commander.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's most senior military commander, after conducting a rare hit in Beirut, upping the stakes in the intensifying conflict with the Lebanese militant group.
Israeli officials claimed the terrorist leader was responsible for the murders of 12 children and teenagers in a weekend rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, as well as the deaths of other Israeli civilians in prior strikes.
"Israeli Air Force fighter jets eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organization's most senior military commander and the head of its Strategic Unit, Fuad Shukr "Sayyid Muhsan", in the area of Beirut," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement, adding that Shukr served as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's right-hand man and wartime operations adviser.
Hezbollah has threatened to retaliate forcefully against any strike in Beirut in recent days.
Najib Mikati, the acting prime minister of Lebanon, stated that one of the country's biggest hospitals was only meters away from the affected region and that Lebanon reserves the right to retaliate against Israel's attack.
"This criminal act that occurred tonight is a link in a series of aggressive operations that are claiming civilians in a clear and frank violation of International law and international humanitarian law, which is something we put in place for the international community, which must bear its responsibilities and press with all force to oblige Israel to stop its aggression and threats and implement international resolutions," Mikati said Tuesday.
US State Department deputy spokeswoman Vedant Pate previously stated that the US has been in "continuous discussions with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts" throughout the weekend.
"The United States is going to continue to support efforts to reach a diplomatic solution along the blue line," Pate stated.
"Our support for Israel's security is ironclad, and it's unwavering, especially as it defends itself against Iran backed threats, including threats from Hezbollah," Pate told reporters.
