Beirut (IP) – Hamas has confirmed the martyrdom of one of its senior commanders, Samer Mahmoud al-Haj, following an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon. The attack, which took place this afternoon in the city of Sidon, was described by Hamas as a "barbaric" act by the Israeli regime.

Iran PressEurope: The Israeli military has also acknowledged the operation, stating that they conducted an airstrike that martyred Samer al-Haj, a high-ranking Hamas commander in Lebanon. The assassination was carried out using an Israeli drone, which fired two missiles at al-Haj's vehicle as he was leaving a meeting. The strike resulted in his immediate martyrdom.

The assassination has sparked a wave of anger and unrest within the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, where Samer al-Haj was a well-known figure and the security head of the camp. In response to the killing, a large protest march erupted inside the camp, with participants condemning the Israeli attack and expressing support for Hamas.

Chants of support for Hamas and slogans against Israel were heard throughout the protest. 

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