The Israeli military announced it killed Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in an airstrike, holding him responsible for a deadly rocket attack in Majdal Shams that killed 12 children over the weekend. Shukur, also implicated in the 1983 Beirut bombing by the U.S., was a senior figure in Hezbollah and crucial to their missile program. Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukur's death but noted a senior commander was targeted in a Beirut strike. Following the recent rocket fire that killed an Israeli civilian, Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Despite ongoing hostilities and fears of escalation, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed hope for de-escalation. Both sides have indicated they do not seek a broader conflict, reminiscent of their 2006 war.