In a brazen attack, Israeli forces launched a strike on a vehicle in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Friday, killing a senior Hamas commander, according to both the Palestinian militant group and the Israeli military. This marks the first strike of its kind in Sidon since Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel, sparking a devastating war in Gaza and prompting its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to engage in near-daily cross-border fire with the Israeli army.
Samer al-Hajj, identified as a “commander” by Hamas and a “senior commander” by the Israeli military, was killed in the strike. Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, described Hajj as a “field commander” and condemned his death as an “assassination”.
According to a Lebanese security source, who wished to remain anonymous, the Israeli strike targeted Hajj’s vehicle in the city of Sidon. The source revealed that Hajj was a security official from the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp, which was established for Palestinians who were displaced during the 1948 war that accompanied Israel’s creation.
The Israeli military claimed that Hajj was responsible for advancing terror attacks and projectile launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory. They also alleged that he was the commander of Hamas’s military forces in the Ain al-Helweh camp and was involved in the recruitment and training of operatives.
This latest escalation comes as tensions between Israel and Lebanon continue to rise. Since Hamas’s October 7 attack, Hezbollah has been engaging in near-daily cross-border fire with the Israeli army, in an effort to tie down its troops and divert attention away from the Gaza Strip.
The Ain al-Helweh refugee camp, where Hajj was based, has long been a hub of Palestinian militant activity. The camp was established in 1948 to provide shelter for Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes during the Nakba, or “catastrophe”, that accompanied Israel’s creation.
The Israeli strike on Sidon has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian leaders and militant groups. Hamas has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the killing of its commander, while Hezbollah has also pledged to continue its resistance against Israeli aggression.
The international community has called for restraint and calm in the face of this latest escalation. However, with tensions running high and both sides dug in, it remains to be seen whether the situation will continue to deteriorate.
As the people of Palestine and Lebanon mourn the loss of Samer al-Hajj, they also remain steadfast in their determination to resist Israeli aggression and fight for their rights and freedoms. The Israeli strike on Sidon may have killed a Hamas commander, but it has also galvanized the Palestinian people and their allies in Lebanon to continue their struggle against occupation and oppression.
A History of Resistance
Ain al-Helweh and other refugee camps in Lebanon have a long history of resistance against Israeli occupation. The camps were established in 1948 to provide shelter for Palestinians who were displaced during the Nakba, and they have since become hubs of militant activity.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the camps were a hotbed of Palestinian nationalism, with many residents joining militant groups such as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The PLO, led by Yasser Arafat, was instrumental in organizing resistance against Israeli occupation and advocating for Palestinian rights.
In the 1980s, the camps were the site of fierce battles between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces. The Israeli military launched numerous attacks on the camps, leading to widespread destruction and displacement.
Despite these challenges, the residents of Ain al-Helweh and other refugee camps have continued to resist Israeli aggression. Today, the camps remain a symbol of Palestinian resilience and determination, and they continue to play a key role in the struggle against occupation.
A New Era of Escalation
The Israeli strike on Sidon marks a new era of escalation in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. With tensions running high and both sides dug in, it remains to be seen whether the situation will continue to deteriorate.
Hezbollah, which has been engaging in near-daily cross-border fire with the Israeli army, has pledged to continue its resistance against Israeli aggression. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has warned Israel that it will face “serious consequences” if it continues to target Palestinian militants in Lebanon.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, has vowed to continue its operations against Hamas and other militant groups in Lebanon. The military has claimed that it will not tolerate any threats to its security and will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community has called for restraint and calm. However, with both sides refusing to back down, it remains to be seen whether the situation can be defused.
One thing is certain, however: the Israeli strike on Sidon has marked a new era of escalation in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. The consequences of this escalation will be far-reaching and devastating, and it is imperative that the international community takes immediate action to prevent further bloodshed.
The Israeli strike on Sidon has sent shockwaves throughout the region, sparking widespread condemnation and outrage. The killing of Samer al-Hajj, a senior Hamas commander, has galvanized the Palestinian people and their allies in Lebanon to continue their struggle against occupation and oppression.
As tensions continue to rise, it is imperative that the international community takes immediate action to prevent further escalation. The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has the potential to spiral out of control, leading to devastating consequences for the entire region.
The people of Palestine and Lebanon will not be deterred by the Israeli strike on Sidon. They will continue to resist Israeli aggression and fight for their rights and freedoms, no matter the cost. The international community must stand with them and demand an end to Israeli occupation and aggression. Only then can there be peace and justice in the region.
