BEIRUT (AP) - Hamas has handed over a militant suspected of firing rockets into northern Israel, as reported by the Lebanese Army on Sunday. The Palestinian group delivered the suspect, identified only by the initials M.G., at the entrance of the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp located in the southern city of Sidon. The Lebanese military claims that the suspect was involved in two rocket launches targeting Israel that occurred in March.
The country's highest military authority issued a warning to Hamas on Friday, stating that the group would face the "harshest measures" if any attacks were launched from Lebanon. This warning comes in light of recent detentions involving several Lebanese and Palestinians suspected of firing rockets into northern Israel. Both attacks resumed months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal was put into effect last November and were met with widespread Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and in southern Beirut.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the militant group Hamas has conducted multiple attacks against Israel from its stronghold in Lebanon. In retaliation, Israel has carried out airstrikes resulting in the deaths of several Hamas officials, including senior military chief Saleh Arouri in Beirut.
The situation in southern Lebanon has been tense, with low-level fighting between Hezbollah and Israel escalating over the months. The conflict intensified, leading Israel to assassinate a significant portion of the Hezbollah leadership, including long-time Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. The violence has resulted in more than 4,000 casualties in Lebanon.
Israel continues to maintain control over five key hilltop locations in southern Lebanon and has expressed criticism towards Hezbollah for not being fully disarmed. Israeli authorities allege that the group is attempting to rearm in the southern region. In response, Hezbollah has claimed that its military presence in southern Lebanon has diminished as per the ceasefire agreement and has accused Israel of ongoing strikes in the area.
