Khaled al-Harz Eliminated
The deputy commander of Hamas in Lebanon, Khaled al-Harz, was eliminated in one of the recent IDF retaliatory attacks. In addition, two Lebanese from Tripoli, Khaled Minawi and Ahmad Awad, were killed alongside two Turkish citizens, Yakup Erdal and Seyfollah Ozturk.
Top Brass in Lebanese Hamas Terror Group
Khalil Kharaz, also known as “Abu Khaled,” was reported to be the deputy commander of the military wing of Hamas in Lebanon, specifically the Al-Qassam Brigades. He was killed in an airstrike near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre.
This operation, conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces, resulted in the assassination of Kharaz along with three other operatives. The airstrike targeted his vehicle south of Tyre. This incident and Kharaz’s role as a deputy commander within Hamas’ military wing were confirmed by several reports and later by Hamas officials.
Hamas in Lebanon
Hamas, primarily known as a Palestinian Islamist political organization and terror group, has had a presence in Lebanon, though it is more prominently active in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. In Lebanon, Hamas operates differently compared to its activities in Palestinian territories. Here are some key aspects of Hamas’s activities in Lebanon:
- Context and Presence: Hamas’s presence in Lebanon is situated within a complex political and sectarian landscape. Lebanon hosts a significant number of Palestinian refugees, and Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have historically operated in the country, particularly in refugee camps.
- Relationship with Hezbollah: Hamas has had interactions with Hezbollah, another significant militant and political group in Lebanon. Both groups share opposition to Israel, but their ideologies, objectives, and regional alignments differ. Hamas, primarily Sunni Muslim, has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, while Hezbollah is Shia Muslim and closely aligned with Iran.
- Activities in Lebanon: Hamas’s activities in Lebanon include political advocacy for the Palestinian cause, social services within Palestinian communities, and some military operations. However, its military presence and activities in Lebanon are generally considered to be less significant compared to its extensive operations in the Gaza Strip.
- Regional Dynamics: The group’s activities in Lebanon are influenced by regional politics, including its relations with Syrian and Iranian regimes and its stance on various conflicts in the Middle East.
- International Relations and Designations: Various countries and international organizations have different stances on Hamas. Some, like the United States and the European Union, classify it as a terrorist organization, primarily due to its militant activities against Israel. Others maintain diplomatic relations with Hamas as a representative of the Palestinian people.
