UPDATE - 3 killed, 13 injured in Israeli strike near Lebanon’s Tripoli

UPDATE WITH MORE DETAILS, ADDS BACKGROUND

By Betul Yilmaz and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) – Three people were killed and 13 others injured in an Israeli strike near Tripoli in northern Lebanon on Tuesday evening, the Health Ministry said.

A ministry statement said that the casualties occurred in the strike that targeted a vehicle in Aairoun near Tripoli.

The Israeli army claimed that the strike targeted a senior Hamas figure, without giving further details.

Later, the army said that it “struck and eliminated Hamas member Mehran Mustafa Ba‘jur in the area of Tripoli in Lebanon,” alleging that he “advanced and directed numerous attacks against the IDF (army) and Israeli civilians.”

The statement added: “Ba‘jur was one of Hamas’ key commanders in Lebanon, and as part of his role, he spent years establishing Hamas’ military capabilities in Lebanon.”

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on the Israeli claim.

Cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024. Despite a November ceasefire, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah’s activities.

Since then, Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 232 people and injuries to more than 530.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply.

Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.