An Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon has killed Mohammed Shahine, a senior Hamas commander, in what Israeli authorities described as a targeted operation against a key figure behind planned attacks on Israel. The strike, carried out in the Sidon region, has heightened tensions in the region as a critical ceasefire deadline between Israel and Hezbollah looms.
Taking to X, IDF wrote, “The Head of Hamas’ Operations Department in Lebanon, Muhammed Shaheen, was eliminated in a precise IAF strike in the area of Sidon earlier today.”
The Israeli military accused Shahine of orchestrating and planning attacks against Israeli civilians from Lebanese territory, with financial and logistical support from Iran. According to Israeli defense officials, Shahine played a vital role in Hamas operations during the ongoing conflict, providing tactical knowledge and overseeing rocket attacks aimed at Israel.
The Head of Hamas’ Operations Department in Lebanon, Muhammed Shaheen, was eliminated in a precise IAF strike in the area of Sidon earlier today.
Shaheen was eliminated after recently planning terror attacks, directed and funded by Iran, and was a significant source of… pic.twitter.com/qa4x0dLZb4
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 17, 2025
The air strike comes at a critical moment, just ahead of the deadline for a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, raising concerns about renewed hostilities.
