Israel in counter-terror mode: Beirut drone attack was targeted assassination. Strikes on Lebanese Beqaa. Drone hits PMU convoy

In its exclusive account of the Aug. 25 drone crash in Beirut, DEBKAfile can reveal its real objective: the targeted assassination of a Hizballah’s senior operational liaison officer with Al Qods chief Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s supreme Mid East commander. That operation matched in significance the Israeli aerial operation outside Damascus which preempted an imminent Iranian drone attack.

It is no wonder that Hizballah chief Hassan Nasrallah looked pale and shocked when he threatened to punish Israel in a speech on Sunday afternoon.
The drone attack, according to DEBKAfile’s military and intelligence sources, was the first targeted assassination Israel has ever conducted by air over a main street in Beirut. Soleimani later called it “insane.” The first of the two drones was unarmed on a reconnaissance mission to track the movements of the targeted high-profile Hizballah officer on Mouawad Street in the south Beirut Shiite district of Dahya.

Posh shops which attract tourists line one side of this street. On the other, are located top secret lodgings used by Middle East terrorist bigwigs associated with Iran when they spend time in the Lebanese capital – Yemeni Houthi rebel chiefs and heads of the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad, to name a few. The occupants of these carefully hidden residences tend to stay out of sight, among them the targeted Hizballah officer.
The first drone was sent Saturday night to pinpoint his whereabouts.

Liquidating this important link in the chain between Iran and its senior proxy in his hidden lair was planned to drive home to Soleimani and Nasrallah that Israel was on to this key figure and knew where to find him. The first drone therefore flew dangerously low over Mouawad Street and was therefore easy prey for a young local boy to throw a big rock and bring it crashing down, a feat of which he boasted later. The IDF thereupon lofted a second drone over the street. This was packed with explosives. Its target was not the Hizballah media center as generally reported, but a car outside the building next door. No sooner had the Hizballah officer targeted for assassination stepped into that car when it was hit by the armed drone that was programmed to home in on him.

If Israel maintains the momentum of the last 48 hours, the operation on Mouawad Street, no less than the air strike on a villa housing Iranian drones south of Damascus, may turn out to be the opening shot of a new war offensive against Iran and its proxies before their plans of aggression get going in earnest.

On Sunday, the IDF continued to push forward.

The powerful pro-Iranian Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi militia, or Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU), blamed Israel for the deadly drone attack that day on two trucks driving past the Iraqi border town of Al Qaim on their way to the Syrian border. At least 10 militiamen were killed, including a senior officer, in what the PMU called a “blatant attack with air cover over the area from American planes, in addition to a large balloon to monitor the area near the site of the incident.”

DEBKAfile reports that the target was the PMU’s 45th Battalion which is responsible for carting Iranian arms from Iraq to Syria and on to Hizballah in Lebanon.

Early Monday, Lebanese media reported that the Israel Air Force attacked Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) targets in the Bekaa region near the Syrian border. This attack came after three Palestinian rockets were fired from Gaza at Sderot and other nearby communities. Two were intercepted by Iron Dome and the third exploded harmlessly on a road. However, flying shrapnel showered down on the 4,000 people attending a festival in Sderot. At least 16 people were injured in the panic.

More up-to-the-minute details from behind the scenes of the escalating confrontation involving Israel, Iran and Hizballah will be laid out in the coming issue of DEBKA Weekly (for subscribers) out next Friday, Aug. 30. For your subscription to this premium publication, click here.

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54 thoughts on “Israel in counter-terror mode: Beirut drone attack was targeted assassination. Strikes on Lebanese Beqaa. Drone hits PMU convoy

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 7:31 at 7:31
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    Great Insight from DEBKA and as stated by PM Bibi Israel Right to Exist includes Preemptive Strikes on any Terror Group or Nation that Intends to Harbor or Harm any Citizens or Communities of Israel including those seeking MWD including those Hiding ion Tunnels that can Turn White in Fear!

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 10:05 at 10:05
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      You forgot your name, Ginger.

      • Aug 26, 2019 @ 10:14 at 10:14
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        “Annual Country Reports on Terrorism”, Iran is the “Foremost State Sponsor of Terrorism” in backing of Anti-Israel Groups & Proxies that Destabilized Devastating Conflicts in Iraq, Syria & Yemen Recruiting Afghanistan, Pakistan Shiia Militia & Sole Support for Lebanon’s Hizbaollah with Drugs, Arms, & Crimes.

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 7:49 at 7:49
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    PMU is part of iraq army and they are located in iraq. It’s obvious but they are more shia than iranian shia, iraq always was a heart of shia religion (not iran). Attacking PMU is a big big mistake by israel because it will make the iraq shia population ready to do anything against israel.

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:12 at 8:12
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      Han… Iraq Kurds Shiia Won’t Rise to Die for Iran Kurds Shiia! The Attacks on Direct Servants of Death are Removal Signs for Leaders Shills in David Sling Stone Drones Shield.

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:11 at 9:11
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      Han, the shame is on Hezbollah. What joke of an army is this, if a boy does better than them?

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 11:11 at 11:11
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      “Attacking PMU is a big big mistake by israel because it will make the iraq shia population ready to do anything against israel.”

      @Han,

      Actually, they were already in that mode of thinking before this particular Israeli attack which now resulted in some advanced weapons not making it to Hezbollah.
      A “big mistake” by Israel ?……………………not really.
      Yes……………….there’s more to come.

      • Aug 26, 2019 @ 17:41 at 17:41
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        War needs troops, and these troops will gather with anger, not order or advice. Therefore iran will do nothing to protect iraqi militia and they will die until iraq shia population will become angry enough to act against israel. As i said don’t forget PMU is part of iraq army and they are not iranian.

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 7:59 at 7:59
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    Bigger Complications as Iran’s FM Zarif in Paris as French Surprise while Preemptive Drone Attack Meant Iran’s Must Agree to End Proxies Attacks as Proxies Caught in “Farsi Feuds”, Too?

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:10 at 8:10
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    IDF spoke in Beirut with the language Arabs understand

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:43 at 8:43
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      Norbus… Agree, IDF PlannedPrepared Pathway a Long Time & in Direct Language of Arabs Not Broken False Farsi Funding Hizballah on Day Zarif Talks in Paris? Timing could not be better!

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:45 at 9:45
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      Territorial loss is the only language Arabs understand. Israel must threaten permanent territorial loss in any future war. Domestic terror attacks must be punished by death penalty and transfer (not demolition) of the attackers property to the victim. This is how you end the war.

      • Aug 26, 2019 @ 11:43 at 11:43
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        Lebanon must evict their terrorists if it wants to be a free country rather than a terror enclave. Hezbollah must be kicked out of government because as it stands Lebanon is just a cesspool of Islamic terrorism. Lebanese who care about Lebanon will work with Israel to throw out the trash.

      • Aug 27, 2019 @ 8:17 at 8:17
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        Israel shall take all oft southern Lebanon to the north up to the Litani river.
        Build strong fortification there and set up an operation to re route the Letani waters to the Jordan valley and make a strong hold at the rerouting facility including a dam and pumping stations.
        So dry out Lebanon, and if they behave give them some water.
        Like defending Israel at the Jordan valley this Litani river border will be a strong one.
        Go for it, and fight for it.

        Make Israel Great Again!

      • Aug 27, 2019 @ 8:18 at 8:18
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        Israel shall take all of southern Lebanon to the north up to the Litani river.
        Build strong fortification there and set up an operation to re route the Letani waters to the Jordan valley and make a strong hold at the rerouting facility including a dam and pumping stations.
        So dry out Lebanon, and if they behave give them some water.
        Like defending Israel at the Jordan valley this Litani river border will be a strong one.
        Go for it, and fight for it.

        Make Israel Great Again!

    • Sep 1, 2019 @ 7:32 at 7:32
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      The only language Arabs understand

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:40 at 8:40
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    A drone downed by a stone? Who is responsible for this shame? And should we believe that the IDF first wanted to tell the Hizballah officer that he was a son of death, before killing him? Does the IDF employ little boys for jobs like these? Strange story…

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:46 at 8:46
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      James… David was a Boy that took down Goliath with just Stones & as King the Philistines!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:47 at 8:47
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    Absolutely justified and well deserved retribution.

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 8:53 at 8:53
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      Iran is kept Circumscribed in Syria when Israel Security Threaten, IDF takes Unilateral Action. True Pressure isn’t just from Bibi, but UK Bojo Party with PDJT Treasury Bans on Hizballah Political Wing to Travel Raises Funds as Iran is going Broke!

      • Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:21 at 9:21
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        But the real problem is how the noble fighters against the existence of Israel could prevent meeting such a drone? We shall stay all day underground? Is it safe enough? I heard of drones with infrared and radar, these can see undeground. What to do? This is critical. How to hide, where to hide, is there any escape?

        • Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:28 at 9:28
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          Anktious… IDF DJI Matrice Drone Range is just 3 Miles, Beirut is 60 Miles from Israel. “Bette Davis Spy Eyes”, Blind Nasrallah’ Tunnell Vision? Crystal Clear Sign to Iran Proxies, No Immunity even in Hizballah Backyard!

          • Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:41 at 9:41
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            The answer is simple and handy – hijab, when covered all over there are less chances of recognition.

            But, the beard has to go off, use a little bit of lipstick, and most important you need training for walking on high heels. A totally perfect disguise could be obtained by sniffing a little helium from time to time, this gives to the voice a really higher pitch, just like a young female.

        • Aug 26, 2019 @ 9:54 at 9:54
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          Best hiding is disguising yourself in an orthodox Jew, IDF will never take down an orthodox Jew walking in downtown Beirut.

          • Aug 26, 2019 @ 16:00 at 16:00
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            Best Hiding is Living by “No Hiding At All”! While Accepting Peaceful Offers for Mutual Self Existence, Help in Development of Prosperity for Neighbors, Communities, and Spending Money on Education, Schools, and Sharing Charities! Next time Peace is Offered Embrace & Take It!

          • Aug 26, 2019 @ 17:42 at 17:42
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            I don’t believe Lebanon allows Jews into the country.

          • Sep 1, 2019 @ 7:45 at 7:45
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            Unfortunately, the arabs will take down an orthodox Jew walking in downtown Beirut.

        • Aug 26, 2019 @ 12:30 at 12:30
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          no, better to flood in now

          • Aug 27, 2019 @ 0:17 at 0:17
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            I am an Australian jew and I travel to Lebanon and i am always welcomed.

      • Aug 26, 2019 @ 12:20 at 12:20
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        Oh please.

        These drones did not have the range to come from israel.

        This was Iran’s decision to open the lebanon front.

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 11:21 at 11:21
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    Within a few Hours French Macron will be in for a Surprise after Meeting with Iran Zarif and it won’t be one he will be Pleased in Hearing!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 11:30 at 11:30
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    “Best hiding is disguising yourself in an orthodox Jew, IDF will never take down an orthodox Jew walking in downtown Beirut.”

    That’s a good one, Tommy: “disguising yourself……………in…………………an orthodox Jew.”
    Does that mean one of your terrorist friends just “jumps inside” an orthodox Jewish person he just happens to find on a street in Beirut (obviously, you’re not up to date on events over the past 40 plus years) to hide from the Israelis?

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 13:43 at 13:43
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    I AM THE CHOSEN ONE! GST001!

    • Aug 27, 2019 @ 3:12 at 3:12
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      I knew it!
      Ok then.
      But why keep repeating, are you the CHOSEN ECHO as well?
      How many voices do you hear when alone in a room?
      The Guinness record is 17.

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 16:02 at 16:02
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    Best Hiding is Living with No need to Hide at All? Next time Peace Is offered Embrace & Take it!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 16:10 at 16:10
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    The Big Powers have decided that the IRGC should be happy staying in Iran.

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 17:30 at 17:30
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    Moishe… Agree, Iran Desperation made a Concession to EU Offer to Reimburse Iran they will come to Talks! As China Changes its Own Position on Trade Behavior after seeing Yuan & Stock Market Collapses. The Sole USA Super Power Head Wags the Chinese & Iran Tails! Tails Don’t Lead!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 17:37 at 17:37
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    DEBKA Article is Clear Israel in Counter-Terror Mode, Not “Offensive Power Mode”! Nasrallah Got the Message to save Himself & Family? Russia on Deck when EU eats Crow to Invite Them Back to G-7! EU has Centuries Eating Colonial Rule Crow while Blaming Others! USA, Israel, & JerUSAlem Safe & Vigilant!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 18:45 at 18:45
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    hizballah will take care of you

    • Aug 26, 2019 @ 19:32 at 19:32
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      Hizballah Lives in Bunker, Proof he Can’t Take Care of Himself, Why He $erves Iran & Iran Need$ Money!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 19:34 at 19:34
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    Junkyard Dogs always Bark Loudly behind Fences thinking Protections? Until Taught they can be Caught! One sees it when their Tails goes Limp Hidden between Legs & Under Bellies. Throw Some Meat$ They Quit!

  • Aug 26, 2019 @ 19:36 at 19:36
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    All of a Sudden Nasrallah Dogs Of War Barks Turn into Whimpering! Free Leader’s Lead & Regimes Leader’s Bleed! When The Rule of Law Prevails! Iran waits until it caves some more than maybe Talks to Abandon Proxies!

  • Aug 27, 2019 @ 1:00 at 1:00
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    This type of behavior is what leads to pogroms. We have millions of Arabs in Europe at the moment. It won’t take much to cause a real problem for us if they start hunting Jews or burning our homes down.

    I really hope that Israel understands the harm that these actions cause us.

    • Aug 27, 2019 @ 3:27 at 3:27
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      Zionism is in a death spiral. The young Jews are turning away from it here in the US, reform Judaism is rapidly expanding and a two-state solution is no longer possible. So in desperation while Israel still has a strong Jewish lobby to support it here in the US it has decided to opt for war. But it does not wants to be seen to be the victim.

      My advise is move over the US Europe with the migrants could be very bad for us. Israel if it is to survive the war is going to suffer greatly so you or you family don’t want to be there. This should be no shock, remember Henry Kissinger stated a few years ago that ‘In 10 years, there will be no more Israel.’

      Shalom

      • Aug 27, 2019 @ 3:57 at 3:57
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        a bunch of comments on this MY QUESTION IS WHY IS MOUAWAD STREET ALLOWED TO LOOK LIKE A NORMAL CITY IT SHOULD BE IN RUBBLE AS THE ENTIRE CITY WILL BE LEVELED IN THE NEXT ISRAELI VICTORY FULL SCALE WAR

        • Aug 27, 2019 @ 4:55 at 4:55
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          We all remember how many units turned and ran in 2006 due to the spanking Hezbollah gave them.
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkLshdwXJto

          This time its going to be the Israeli cities getting leveled by a sustained bombardment of thousands of missiles launched each day for many many weeks. Even if you win its going to be worth is based on the costs and there is no guarantee that you will even have a victory.

          • Aug 28, 2019 @ 23:08 at 23:08
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            MIKEY BY BOY ISRAEL JUST USED 8% OF ITS RESERVE FOR THE LEBANON OPERATION THEY WERE PLAYING WITH NEW METHODS AND RESEARCHING SUPPLY SUPPLY YOU NEVER SEEN A REAL IDF WAR AS 67 AND 73 THE IDF ARE LIONS I SAW THIS THETA IS WHY THEY NEVER LOST A MAJOR WAR 4 TIMES WHAT YOU SEE ARE SMALL SCRMISHES IN GAZA AND LEBANON SYRIA
            US ARMY 24 TRS ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE AMERICAN JEW NOW MIKEY JUST WANDER BACK INTO THE THE OLD IRISH PUB AND HAVE ANOTHER PINT ME LAD

        • Aug 27, 2019 @ 5:22 at 5:22
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          War should always be the very very last option so you really need to go get some professional help.

          Why go looking for a fight? Israeli behavior over the last period is way out of line. If Hezbollah, Iraq or Iran were attacking you fine a response is required. The problem here is that you are the aggressor, you commit the war crimes, the genocides for over 50 years but get away with it because of American political cover and because the American public does not know.
          https://www.globalresearch.ca/kuala-lumpur-tribunal-finds-israel-guilty-of-crimes-against-humanity-genocide/5359404

          You call your self a democracy but you are just a racist apartheid state that takes advantage of the weak.

      • Aug 27, 2019 @ 4:02 at 4:02
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        SHALOM levi just follow the others leave your bags with us it will be given back just give up your a weak pitiful worm jew not a proud israeli who fights to the death

    • Aug 27, 2019 @ 4:07 at 4:07
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      SHALOM levi just follow the others leave your bags with us it will be given back just give up your a weak pitiful worm jew not a proud israeli who fights to the death jacob to you it will be ok little one the tall goyem wont come this is not ukraine 1890 your another worm im humiliated that jews like you still exist never come to israel your worthless

  • Aug 27, 2019 @ 1:36 at 1:36
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    Interesting that Mouawad Street caters to tourists on one side and offers lodgings to high-ranking troublemakers on the other. Perhaps Israel doesn’t bomb to protect the tourists. Also, these Arab and Iranian officers and terror leaders might not all be enjoying a block party at the same time. Wonder if some of these tourists or vendors on one side keep tabs on the other side of the street. Still, Israel will have to consider larger scale operations than taking out this or that individual enemy. Probably already have, too.

  • Aug 27, 2019 @ 3:55 at 3:55
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    a bunch of comments on this MY QUESTION IS WHY IS MOUAWAD STREET ALLOWED TO LOOK LIKE A NORMAL CITY IT SHOULD BE IN RUBBLE AS THE ENTIRE CITY WILL BE LEVELED IN THE NEXT ISRAELI VICTORY FULL SCALE WAR

  • Aug 27, 2019 @ 8:19 at 8:19
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    Make Irsrael Geat again!
    Expand to the North up to Litani river

  • Aug 27, 2019 @ 8:23 at 8:23
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    Israel shall take all of southern Lebanon to the north up to the Litani river.
    Build strong defence there and set up an operation to send the Letani waters to the J0rdan valley and make a strong army base at the rer0uting facility including a Dam and pump1ng stations.
    So dry out Lebanon, and if they behave give them some water.
    Like defend1ng Israel at the Jordan valley in Juda and Shomron this Litani river b0rder will be a strong one.
    Go for it, and f1ght for it.

    Make Israel Great Again!
    Fight aga1nst Cens0rsh1p

Comments are closed.