Israeli drone targets Hamas commander in Sidon

An Israeli strike targeted Monday a vehicle in the southern city of Sidon, killing one person, on the eve of a withdrawal deadline under a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

A Lebanese security source said the strike killed a military unit commander from Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as Israel’s military claimed the raid.

"Mohammad Shahine... a Hamas military unit commander", was killed "in the Israeli strike in Sidon", the security source said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The Israeli army said Shahine "was involved during the war in carrying out various attacks, including rocket attacks, against the Israeli home front."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a break Monday from his trial to approve the attack, Israeli media reports said.

The strike on Sidon is the deepest strike in the country since the ceasefire took effect in late November.

Footage circulating online showed a car engulfed in flames. The strike occurred near a Lebanese army checkpoint and Sidon’s municipal sports stadium.

Israeli troops were to withdraw from south Lebanon in late January, but under pressure from Israel, Lebanon agreed to extend it to Feb. 18. It remains unclear whether Israeli troops will complete their withdrawal by Tuesday.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, saying it is targeting military sites containing missiles and combat equipment.