Israel carried out a drone strike in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on May 7, killing Khalid Ahmad al-Ahmad, a senior Hamas operative responsible for cross-border attacks and weapons smuggling. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified him as the head of operations for Hamas’s Western Brigade in Lebanon. Hamas confirmed his death, stating that al-Ahmad was on his way to a mosque at the time of the strike.
The assassination is part of Israel’s wider effort to disrupt the activities of Iranian-backed armed groups operating in Lebanon. On May 6, the IDF also struck Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, killing Adnan Muhammad Sadiq Harb, a senior Hezbollah commander involved in rebuilding the group’s military capabilities in violation of post-2006 arrangements.
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Meanwhile, Israeli forces have launched an expanded campaign in Gaza, codenamed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure and maintaining control over key areas. The operation was approved during a high-level meeting on May 6, led by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas can no longer pose a threat to Israeli civilians.
A May 6 Israeli airstrike in central Gaza reportedly destroyed a Hamas command center used to coordinate attacks and store weapons. Israeli officials said the operation used precision-guided weapons and advance warnings to reduce civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, a new poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 49% of Gaza’s population would leave if given the opportunity, reflecting widespread frustration with war and economic hardship.