The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) confirmed the elimination of Fateh Sherif, the leader of Hamas in Lebanon and an employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA. Sherif was responsible for coordinating with Hezbollah operatives to carry out terror activities in Lebanon. In addition, he was involved in efforts to recruit operatives and acquire weapons for Hamas. The IDF and ISA have pledged to continue operating against anyone posing a threat to the civilians of Israel.
The news comes as UNRWA acknowledged that Fateh Sherif had been the principal of one of its schools, Deir Yassin Secondary School in al-Bass refugee camp. The Times of Israel reported that he was killed today during an Israeli airstrike on the al-Bass refugee camp in southern Lebanon, along with his wife and children. Sherif had been under investigation since March for allegations about his political activities. His suspension last year sparked protests in Lebanon, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer questioned UNRWA’s integrity, pointing out that the agency’s chief Philippe Lazzarini needs to answer why a terrorist was allowed to work as one of its teachers. This incident is not isolated; in October 2023, several UNRWA employees were found to have participated in terror attacks. The Israeli government has called for the dismantling of the agency, with former President Donald Trump cutting off its U.S. funding in 2018. However, President Joe Biden restored funding upon taking office, and the Biden administration suspended it after evidence of ties to terror emerged.
Several Democratic members of Congress, backed by far-left J Street, have proposed a bill to restore funding to UNRWA, acknowledging its role in terror but insisting that it can be reformed and trusted with U.S. taxpayers’ money. Mencer stated that UNRWA cannot be reformed, recalling its collaboration with Hamas in Gaza and other locations. UNRWA, unfortunately, is a front for Hamas,” he added.
Fateh Sherif was the latest major terrorist leader killed during two weeks of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. In addition to eliminating Sherif, Israel also killed three senior members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), another terrorist group. The IDF and ISA reported that Nidal Abdel-Aal, head of the PFLP’s Lebanon branch, was involved in directing terror attacks on Israelis in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank. These incidents include a bus bombing and a shooting attack, both in 2023.