Israel Claims Its Attack On Lebanon Kills Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah Leader's Right Hand

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attack on a building in southern Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday night killed Hezbollah's most senior military commander, a figure Israel says is responsible for Saturday's deadly rocket attack on Majdal Shams.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed the attack and said Shukr killed many Israelis.

"Tonight, the IDF conducted the right and professional operation to kill the most senior Hezbollah military commander," Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tweeted, as quoted July 31.

"Fuad Shukr 'Sayyid' Muhsan has shed the blood of many Israelis on his hands. Tonight, we have shown that the blood of our people is priced, and there is no place that our troops cannot reach to achieve this goal," he continued.

Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's most senior military commander and terror leader Hassan Nasrallah's right-hand man, were killed in the attack, which left a large hole on the side of the eight-story apartment building in southern Beirut, the IDF said, quoted by The Times of Israel.

The attack followed intensive diplomacy for days aimed at curbing Israel's response to rocket attacks on Saturday's Golan Heights football field that killed 12 children, amid concerns that Israel's retaliation could lead to tensions that have grown into an all-out war.

The attack was reportedly carried out with a drone launching three rockets in Dahieh, a suburbs south of Beirut and a base of an Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group, at around 7:40 p.m. local time. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion followed by plumes of smoke seen billowing above the neighborhood.

Lebanese health ministry said three people were killed, including two children, and 74 injured in the attack, quoted from The Times of Israel.

Hezbollah did not immediately confirm Shukr's death, and several media reports previously claimed he survived the attack.

Lebanese state-owned National News Agency said the Israeli attack targeted an area around the Shura Hezbollah Council in the Haret Hreik neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Dahieh, Beirut.

The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Shukr had been killed in the attack.

In a statement, the IDF said Shukr alias Haji Mohsin, was responsible for Saturday's Majdal Shams attack, as well as other deadly attacks against Israel. Since the Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel, Shukr has managed the Hezbollah attack that nearly occurs every day against Israel, according to the military.

Shukr sits on the Jihad Council, Hezbollah's highest military body, and is the head of his strategic division, the military said.

The IDF said he was also a senior military adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who acted as his "right hand".

The IDF said it was "responsible for most of Hezbollah's most advanced weapons, including precision-guided missiles, cruise missiles, antiship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs" and for "assembly of forces, planning, and execution of attacks on Israel.

"I would like to express my deep appreciation to the IDF - to the Chief of General Staff, to the Commanders and Troops at the IAF and IDI. Your ability not only ensures our safety, but also gives us great pride. You allow us to stand upright in facing our enemies and ensure the survival of our people," tweeted Defense Minister Gallant.

It was the first Israeli attack in the Lebanese capital since the January attack that killed the deputy Hamas leader abroad of Saleh al-Arouri.