The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed a drone strike in Lebanon on Thursday, targeting and killing Hamas commander Muhammed Jabra. According to the IDF and reports from the Times of Israel, Jabra was responsible for orchestrating attacks, including rocket fire, against Israel. He is believed to have collaborated with the Lebanese terror group al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya, which also claimed him as a member. The IDF asserted that Jabra’s elimination represents a significant setback to Hamas’s ability to carry out future attacks on Israel.
This incident further intensifies the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group backed by Iran. For the past nine months, both sides have engaged in a series of cross-border strikes. The conflict escalated last October, following Hamas militants’ incursion into Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages. Hezbollah, in support of Gaza, launched attacks on Israeli targets from Lebanon, prompting immediate retaliation from Israel. Hezbollah, recognized as a terrorist organization by many nations, including the UK and the US, possesses significant military capabilities, posing a serious threat to Israel. Their vast arsenal, estimated to contain over 150,000 rockets and missiles, some with precision-guidance capabilities, could inflict substantial damage across Israel.
Iran, a staunch adversary of Israel and Hezbollah’s primary supporter, provides training and funding to Hezbollah and other groups hostile to the Jewish state. The conflict’s escalation, marked by numerous cross-border strikes, has prompted several countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, to advise their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. The UK has taken further action, issuing a travel advisory against all travel to Lebanon and urging its nationals to depart while possible. Despite the heightened tensions, both sides have primarily targeted military locations near the border, staying within established red lines. With inputs from agencies.
