A Zionist drone targeted Monday a vehicle at the entrance of Saida, southern Lebanon, killing one person on the eve of the deadline set for the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Lebanese territory.
The person targeted in the strike is a Palestinian official in the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.
Later, Palestinian Al-Aqsa TV said al-Qassam commander Muhammad Shahin was martyred in the Zionist raid that targeted him in the city of Saida.
Lebanon’s state news agency said rescuers had retrieved one body from the vehicle after firefighters extinguished the fire.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army cordoned off the site of the attack.
Commenting on the aggression, former head of the Zionist Security Intelligence Tamir Hayman said Shahin’s assassination is more related to the Zionist operation in the West Bank rather than the situation in Gaza or South Lebanon.
Zionist violations of ceasefire agreement continue in South
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said authorities were following up on contacts at various levels to push the occupation to comply with the ceasefire agreement, stressing that the sponsors of the agreement must assume their responsibility in assisting Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Sunday that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure the Zionist military fully withdraws by Tuesday’s deadline.
This comes as the regime continues to violate the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, with its military carrying out explosions in towns it has not withdrawn from, setting fires to homes, and bulldozing olive groves.
According to reports in South Lebanon, Zionist forces are bulldozing olive orchards in the town of Kfar Chouba, while the area is being combed with gunfire by Israeli forces. This coincided with a Zionist drone dropping a sound grenade over the residents of the town.
Zionist forces also carried out an explosion in the southern town of Yaroun.
In the border town of Odaisseh, occupation forces set fire to several homes and demolished others, while southern towns witnessed an intensified presence of Israeli drones in the skies.
On another front, the regime established a military position on Sunday on the al-Hamames hill, south of the town of Khiam, opposite the Metulla settlement.
The occupation forces also obstructed the Lebanese Army and Red Cross entry into the town of Houla, in an attempt to retrieve the body of the child Khadija Atwi killed by the occupation yesterday.
Reports state that in southern Lebanon citizens stranded in Houla were able to leave the town without the intervention of the Red Cross or the Lebanese Army.
As the February 18 deadline for the Zionist military’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon approaches—an extension from the initially scheduled withdrawal on January 26, 2025, under the ceasefire agreement—the occupation remains adamant about keeping its forces in five positions in southern Lebanon; a stance met with Lebanese opposition.
Resistance factions release statements
The Qassam Commander and fighter
Mohammed Ibrahim Shahin “Abu Al-Bara’a”
(From the occupied Palestinian town of Al-Faluja)
Who ascended as a martyr during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, on Monday, 18 Sha’ban 1446 AH (February 17, 2025 CE), following a cowardly assassination carried out by zionist warplanes in the city of Saida, southern Lebanon.
As Al-Qassam Brigades bids farewell to its heroic martyr Abu Al-Bara’a, we recall his pioneering role and distinctive contributions to the path of jihad and resistance against the zionist enemy. From the Al-Aqsa Intifada to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, he held advanced leadership positions, culminating his journey of struggle by joining his martyred brother, the Qassam engineer Hamza Shahin, and the many righteous martyrs who preceded him.
As we continue to sacrifice martyrs across Palestine and beyond, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our pledge—first to Allah and then to our people—to persist in the path of jihad, sacrifice, and preparation on the purest path, paved with the blood of our righteous martyrs. We remain devoted to honoring the legacy of our martyrs and prisoners, steadfast until we achieve our people’s dream of liberation and return, by Allah’s will.
It is a jihad of victory or martyrdom
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most MercifulMourning the Martyr Commander Mohammed Shahin “Abu Al-Bara’a”
“Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some are still waiting, and they have not changed in the least.”
With great pride and honor, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and its military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, mourn before our Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic nations the martyr Commander Mohammed Shahin “Abu Al-Bara’a”, one of Al-Qassam’s senior leaders, who ascended to the heights of martyrdom after being targeted by a treacherous zionist drone strike in the city of Saida, Lebanon.
As we bid farewell to Commander Abu Al-Bara’a, we affirm that the zionist hand of treachery, which has reached the diaspora just as it has targeted the homeland, will fail to break the will of the resistance.
The cowardly zionist enemy, which continues its policy of assassinations against the leaders and heroes of the resistance, bears full responsibility for the consequences of its crimes and will pay a heavy price.
Martyr Mohammed Shahin, along with his comrades and his honorable family, embodied sacrifice and devotion, dedicating his life to the resistance project. He played a vital role in strengthening and preparing the resistance to confront the zionist enemy until the liberation of the land and sanctities. His pure blood will remain a guiding light for the fighters, illuminating the path to victory and freedom.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the martyr commander and to our Palestinian people in the homeland and diaspora, reaffirming that our battle against the occupation continues, and that our resistance remains unbreakable until the complete eradication of the occupation from our land.
It is a jihad of victory or martyrdom.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad:
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The movement strongly condemns the treacherous and cowardly assassination of Mohammed Ibrahim Shahin “Abu Al-Bara’a” in Saida, Lebanon, describing it as a dangerous escalation aimed at undermining the resistance. They assert that the pure blood of resistance leaders will only strengthen Palestinian and Lebanese unity in defying the occupation and thwarting its criminal objectives.Mujahideen Movement:
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The movement denounces the cowardly zionist crime, affirming that assassinations will not break the will of the resistance nor restore the image of the enemy’s failing army. They stress that martyrdom strengthens their commitment to armed struggle, vowing to continue on the path of resistance until the complete liberation of Palestinian land.
The Popular Front released a statement too: