Israeli army announces killing Hamas commander Hassan Farhat in Lebanon

CAIRO – 4 April 2025:  The Israeli army announced on Friday’s early morning, killing Hamas commander Hassan Farhat during a strike in Lebanon's Sidon.

Farhat was the commander of the western sector of Hamas in Lebanon, the Israeli army said.

Lebanese news reports said that three people were killed on Friday in an Israeli strike, that targeted a civilian apartment. Farhat was allegedly killed along with his daughter and son.

During the war, Farhat was responsible for numerous attacks, including launching rockets into Safed, the Israeli military added.

On 22 March, Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's rejection of any actions that could jeopardize the security, safety, and stability of the Lebanese people following reports of cross-border attacks.

In a phone conversation, Abdelatty and Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji discussed the recent developments in southern Lebanon, which threaten regional stability and exacerbate the fragile situation in the area, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Abdelatty warned of the dangers of slipping into a cycle of escalation that could lead to further instability.

He underscored the necessity of implementing and adhering to the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon, calling for the immediate and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and enabling the Lebanese army to enforce Resolution 1701.

He stressed the importance of the full and simultaneous application of the resolution by all parties without selectivity.

Israeli forces launched artillery fire and airstrikes on southern Lebanon last month after they reported intercepting rockets fired from across the border, aimed at the town of Metula.

These rockets mark the first instances of fire from Lebanon towards Israel since a truce brokered by the US took effect in November, halting Israel's intense bombardment and ground operations in Lebanese territory.

The ceasefire had brought relative calm between Israel and Hezbollah after a year of exchanges following the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed more than 4,000 people since the Gaza war.

However, Israel has maintained its troops at five locations in Lebanon, defying the agreement that mandates a complete withdrawal, a situation the Lebanese government and Hezbollah emphasize as occupation.