Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr Targeted in Israeli Airstrike

Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr Targeted in Israeli Strike

Fuad Shukr, a senior commander within Hezbollah and a prominent figure within the organization, was reportedly the target of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Known for his close association with Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, Shukr is also wanted by the U.S. government due to his involvement in a devastating bombing attack in 1983 that claimed the lives of approximately 300 American and French servicemen stationed in Beirut.

A wanted poster released by the U.S. State Department features a photograph of Shukr, who is also referred to by his nom de guerre, Al-Hajj Mohsin. As of now, it remains uncertain whether he survived the recent assassination attempt initiated by Israeli forces.

The Israeli military has accused Shukr of orchestrating an assault over the weekend that resulted in the tragic deaths of 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, in addition to numerous civilian casualties. A senior military official from Israel, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence, emphasized Shukr’s integral role within the organization.

Following the killing of another senior Hezbollah commander, Mustafa Badreddine, in Syria in 2016, Shukr took on many of his responsibilities, according to both military officials and analysts specializing in Hezbollah. The U.S. State Department has placed a bounty of up to $5 million for credible information regarding Shukr’s whereabouts in connection with the 1983 barracks bombing.

Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general, described Shukr as “an experienced veteran” who has been instrumental in advancing Hezbollah’s precision-guided missile capabilities. These developments are particularly alarming for Israeli military strategists, as they pose a significant threat to national security.

Shukr’s association with Hezbollah spans several decades, and he has played a pivotal role in many of the group’s significant operations and milestones. Matthew Levitt, a Hezbollah expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, commented on Shukr’s longstanding influence within the organization.

• Shukr is considered part of Hezbollah’s “old guard.”
• Mohanad Hage Ali, a fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center based in Beirut, stated, “He’s a significant figure, for sure.”
• According to Levitt, Shukr has overseen military operations in the Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon and has held key leadership roles in Syria.
• Levitt noted that Shukr has emerged as one of the top leaders within Hezbollah’s military hierarchy and is regarded as “first among equals,” reporting directly to Nasrallah.

This ongoing situation highlights the complex dynamics within Hezbollah and the broader regional tensions that continue to evolve.

Ronen Bergman contributed reporting to this article.