Israeli Airstrike in Lebanon; Killing of a Hamas Commander Amid Ceasefire Tensions

The Israeli army announced that on Monday, February 18, in an airstrike in southern Lebanon, it killed a commander of the extremist group Hamas, accusing him of planning attacks against Israel from Lebanese territory. The Israeli army's statement read: 'Mohammad Shaheen was eliminated after planning terrorist attacks, which were conducted under the guidance and funding of Iran from Lebanese soil against Israeli citizens.' The statement added that Mohammad Shaheen was killed in the Sidon area and was 'an important intelligence source in the terrorist organization and was responsible for executing various attacks and launching rockets at Israeli civilians during the war.' Lebanese security sources also reported that the Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle in the port city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, and rescue forces removed a body from the vehicle, but did not disclose his identity. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Israeli political sources stating that Mohammad Shaheen was responsible for Hamas's operational branch in Lebanon and designed several deadly attacks against Jews in other countries. This incident occurred as Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, called on countries supporting the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah to pressure for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon by the deadline set for Tuesday. He emphasized that Lebanon is negotiating at various levels to force Israel to adhere to the agreement and return captives. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which had been in place since late November, was extended on January 26, and according to the agreement, both sides must withdraw from southern Lebanon by February 18. Israeli citizens, including families of the 73 remaining hostages in Gaza and recently freed hostages, held protests and marches across the country on Monday, February 18, to mark the 500th day since the abduction of citizens. Thousands of Israelis marched from the Prime Minister's residence in central Jerusalem to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, and then outside the Knesset to express solidarity with the 'hungry' hostages, starting a fast for 500 minutes. Simultaneously, protests were taking place in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other cities in Israel. The aim of Monday's protests was to increase pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to enter negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement to lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Hamas released three more hostages in exchange for the freedom of 369 Palestinian prisoners. The extremist group Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, classified as terrorist organizations by the U.S. and the European Union, have so far released 19 Israeli hostages and 5 Thai workers in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement during six rounds of exchanges, and if this phase of the agreement continues without obstacles, they are expected to deliver 6 more living hostages and the bodies of 8 deceased hostages to Israel within less than two weeks. However, 59 hostages will still remain in the hands of militants in Gaza. Recently freed hostages reported that at least 11 young male hostages are alive, stating that they are chained in the depths of Hamas's tunnel network, injured, shot, hungry, and under severe torture, and that if this situation continues, they may soon lose their lives. The released individuals emphasized that every moment is crucial for the survival of the hostages. Two weeks after the deadline, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement have yet to begin. Israeli media report that Benjamin Netanyahu has refrained from entering these negotiations to maintain his right-wing government. Right-wing Israeli ministers have called for the continuation of the war to free the hostages, and the 'Jewish Power' movement led by Itamar Ben-Gvir has exited the government in protest against the ceasefire. Netanyahu warned in a joint press conference with the U.S. Secretary of State that if the hostages are not freed, 'the gates of hell' will be opened for Gaza. Meanwhile, Steve Vitkoff, the U.S. special envoy for Middle East affairs, emphasized that negotiations are ongoing and the U.S. seeks the simultaneous release of the hostages. Israeli media have reported that a delegation from Israel will head to Cairo for negotiations, but has not yet received the necessary mandates. Simultaneously, the U.S. and Israel emphasize that Gaza should not be controlled by Hamas, and reports have emerged that mediators from Qatar and Egypt have pressured the group to step down from governing Gaza. Nevertheless, Hamas officials still consider their military operations a 'historic victory.'