Israel confirms: IDF strike in Beirut killed top Hezbollah commander responsible for Majdal Shams massacre

Israel Defense Forces assassinated Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's most senior military commander, in a targeted strike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday evening, the Israeli army confirmed.

Shukr, also known as "Sayyed Mohsen," served as the right-hand man and advisor to Hezbollah Sec.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah on issues of planning and management of the war.

"Mohsen led Hezbollah's fighting against the State of Israel since October 8, and was responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the murder of many Israeli and foreign citizens over the years," the IDF stated.

Initial report- the IDF carried out a targeted strike in Beirut, on the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians. At the moment, there are no changes in the Home Front Command defensive… pic.twitter.com/ja9PRE0cZM

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 30, 2024

Following many contradictory reports overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization still hasn't released an official statement confirming that Shukr had been killed.

On Wednesday morning, the group confirmed that "Mohsen was inside the building that was attacked."

"The teams are working to clear the ruins feverishly, but slowly in view of the condition of the destroyed floors, so we are so far waiting for the result of this activity in everything related to the fate of the commander-in-chief and other citizens."

Shukr was a veteran Hezbollah operative, who was "entrusted with most of Hezbollah's most advanced weapons, in particular the precision missiles, cruise missiles, coastal missiles, long-range rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles," the IDF stated.

He was also wanted by the United States for his involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 service personnel.

Will Biden and Harris be transferring $5 million in reward money to Prime Minister @netanyahu? Killing Fuad Shukr today -- assuming the IDF succeeded -- is Israel's smartest move of the war. Biden tried to impose ridiculous restraints on Israel but he can't complain about… pic.twitter.com/I06k6gS89o

— Mike (@Doranimated) July 30, 2024

Initial reports after the strikes indicated that Shukr had survived the bombardment. However, several hours later, the Saudi news outlets al-Hadath and al-Arabiya reported that he had been killed and his body was taken to a nearby hospital under heavy guard by Hezbollah.

Al-Hadath cited local sources saying that "two people were killed in the Israeli strike in Beirut's Dahiyeh quarter." According to the source, the site was a coordination office of Hezbollah and the Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Shortly after the strike, videos on social media showed the damage from the strike. 

Massive Damage to the Building which was Struck just now by an Israeli Airstrike within the Haret Hreik Neighborhood in the Suburbs of Beirut. pic.twitter.com/DOB8dku3HH

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 30, 2024

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant released a tweet shortly after the strike with the message, “Hezbollah has crossed the red line.” 

Lebanese media reported at least three killed and over 60 wounded as a result of the strike in Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood, which is seen as Hezbollah's main stronghold in the country and is estimated to be Nasrallah's hiding place.

If the initial reports are correct, Fa'ad Shakar, responsible for Hezbollah's precision missile project, a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council, and Nasrallah's close advisor, was eliminated a short time ago in Beirut. pic.twitter.com/ZpxWdgOXLt

— Israel-Alma (@Israel_Alma_org) July 30, 2024

Following initial reports in Arab media about the strike's success, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs instructed government ministers to not address the attack in Beirut until further notice, "according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's instructions,

Netanyahu arrived at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv around 10 p.m. for a situational assessment, amid concerns that Hezbollah might respond with heavy rocket barrages against Israeli population center in retaliation.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said, in a first response: “We hope that Hezbollah will respond in a way that prevents escalation. We will file a complaint with the UN due to the attack.”