Fouad Shakar: Architect of the Israeli Soldiers’ Captivity Strategy
Mehr News Agency, International Desk: Fouad Shukr, known as “Hajj Mohsen,” was born on April 25, 1961, in Al-Nabi Sheet village in the Baalbek region of eastern lebanon. From a young age, he laid the foundation for Hezbollah alongside ten other local youths and participated in the Battle of Khaldeh during Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. He also oversaw Hezbollah’s deployment to Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995.
Operational Background
The Al-Akhbar newspaper reports that Shukr was among the first to develop plans for capturing Zionist soldiers to exchange them for fighters held by Israel. He personally attempted such an operation in al-Jiyeh during Beirut’s siege; however, a captive soldier died before he could be transferred to Beirut.
Shukr also directly supervised an operation that captured two Israeli soldiers in Kounine village in 1986. this mission was led by martyr Samir Mtatqut, one of hezbollah’s founding generation members.
Known as hajj Mohsen, he served as Hezbollah’s military planner during the July War (2006) and subsequent conflicts against Israel. From its establishment in the 1980s until his death,Shukr was Hezbollah’s first central military commander.He also sat on both its Central Council and Jihadi Council.
Some sources describe Fouad Shukr at his death as a senior adviser to late Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and chief among Hezbollah’s military commanders. He operated within Hezbollah’s highest military body-the Jihadi Council-and contributed to anti-terror operations inside Syria.
Decades-long confusion within CIA & Mossad
For decades, Shukr was targeted not only by Israel but also by U.S. intelligence due to his extensive multi-front activities. As 2017-and based on accusations linking him to a bombing at a U.S. Marine barracks in beirut in 1983 that killed 241 Marines-he has been under U.S. sanctions with a $5 million bounty placed on him.
The Al-Mayadeen network states that throughout July War (2006), martyr Fouad Shukr never left operations rooms and closely monitored all details fighting against Israeli forces. At that time, he commanded missile and naval forces responsible for targeting Israeli Sa’ar warships-a move that shifted momentum toward Hezbollah.
The Military Character & Persona of Hajj Mohsen
Throughout his distinguished military career inside Lebanon and abroad, Hajj mohsen exhibited two defining traits during operations involving capture or attacks against Israelis: meticulous planning paired with calculated execution.
Al-Mayadeen describes him as one who worked alongside all Lebanese resistance commanders-a key strategist behind many effective military operations against occupying enemies.
Those who knew him attest to his high cultural standing combined with sharp intelligence which enabled highly efficient enemy countermeasures design.
Hajj Mohsen documented events carefully from multiple perspectives while contextualizing both specific conditions surrounding incidents plus wider circumstances; he strongly opposed distortion or misrepresentation.
Fouad Shukr shared an exceptional professional bond-and friendship-with Hassan Lakkis , another prominent Hezbollah commander assassinated outside his home by Israeli agents in Beirut January 2013 .Lakkis’ martyrdom deeply affected him.
these two leaders cooperated closely supervising development efforts across drone capabilities , missile systems , along with varied training programs within Hezbollah .
The Assassination Of Fouad Shukr
on Tuesday , July 30 ,2024 ,the Israeli army announced it had killed Fouad Shukr through airstrikes targeting a building located within Harik neighborhood south suburbs (Dahiyeh)of Beirut .
The following day , Hizbollah released an official statement confirming martyrdom of Hajj Mohsen after recovering his remains from beneath rubble caused by this attack .
On Thursday August1st,Hizbollah held an elaborate funeral ceremony attended widely including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speaking publicly.
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In this speech,sayyed hassan nasrollah stated daily contact meetings were held regularly between himself & fouaad shkr who updated him fully regarding operational details across fronts coordinated under shkr.s command care.”
