Israeli spy agencies uncovered information about Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr’s plans to marry his four mistresses over the phone, according to a report by The New York Times. The investigation revealed how deeply Israeli spies had penetrated Hezbollah before the assassination of its top leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders in the Iran-backed terror group. Israel announced in July that its forces had killed Shukur during a rare strike in Beirut, in response to his alleged involvement in a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people, including schoolchildren. The United States also blamed Shukur for planning a bombing of a Marine Corps barrack in Lebanon in 1983 that killed 241 American service members.
Leading up to the strike that killed Shukr, Israeli intelligence agencies had identified his mistresses and uncovered his plan to marry them. Shukr sought help from one of Hezbollah’s highest religious clerics, Hashem Safieddine, to arrange four marriage ceremonies conducted over the phone. This intimate insight into Shukr’s personal affairs demonstrates how closely Israeli intelligence agencies tracked the movements of Hezbollah’s leadership. Additionally, Israeli spy agencies recruited human sources within the terror group to plant listening devices in bunkers and expose hideout locations, further highlighting the depth of Israeli penetration into Hezbollah.
After years of orchestrated attacks and increased strikes targeting Hezbollah leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the killing of Nasrallah while en route to speak before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for three decades, was killed in an Israeli air raid that destroyed six apartment buildings in Beirut. Nasrallah had dismissed warnings to change locations from his underground bunker before the attack, believing that Israel had no interest in a full-scale war with Hezbollah. However, Israeli F-15 jets dropped explosives that destroyed the bunker, leading to Nasrallah’s suffocation underground, where he was found in an embrace with an Iranian general based in Lebanon.
The Israeli spy agencies’ intricate intelligence operations provided clear visibility of Nasrallah’s every move, despite his belief that Israel was not seeking an all-out war with Hezbollah. The report indicated that Israeli intelligence had significant control over Hezbollah’s activities, tracking meetings with mistresses and recruiting sources within the terror group to obtain critical information. This level of infiltration led to the successful assassination of Nasrallah and other key Hezbollah figures, demonstrating Israel’s strategic advantage in dealing with one of its most formidable adversaries.
The revelations from The New York Times report shed light on the inner workings of Israeli spy agencies and their ability to penetrate secretive organizations like Hezbollah. By monitoring personal affairs, recruiting human sources, and deploying advanced technology, Israel was able to execute targeted strikes against key Hezbollah leaders, culminating in the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. The detailed account of Israeli intelligence operations showcases the lengths to which the country is willing to go in order to protect its national security interests and confront threats posed by terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.
The successful operations conducted by Israeli spy agencies highlight the importance of intelligence gathering and counterterrorism efforts in dealing with formidable adversaries like Hezbollah. The meticulous planning, recruitment of sources, and strategic decision-making led to significant blows against the terror group, ultimately resulting in the elimination of key figures such as Nasrallah. Israel’s ability to track and target high-ranking members of Hezbollah showcases the country’s willingness to engage in covert operations to safeguard its citizens and combat terrorism in the region, underscoring the critical role of intelligence agencies in national security and defense strategies.
