Recent reports have revealed that Israeli spy agencies obtained information about Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr's personal life, including his plans to marry his four mistresses over the phone. This revelation came to light following an investigation by The New York Times into the extent of Israeli intelligence penetration within Hezbollah prior to the assassination of top leader Hassan Nasrallah and other high-ranking members of the Iran-backed group.
In response to a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including schoolchildren, Israel announced the killing of Shukr in Beirut. The United States had long held Shukr responsible for orchestrating the 1983 bombing of a Marine Corps barrack in Lebanon that claimed the lives of 241 American service members.
Prior to the strike that targeted Shukr, Israeli intelligence agencies had identified his four mistresses. Allegedly feeling uneasy about his affairs, Shukr sought assistance from Hashem Safieddine, a senior religious figure within Hezbollah, to formalize marriages with the women. Safieddine reportedly arranged for the ceremonies to be conducted over the phone.
The detailed knowledge of Shukr's personal life underscores the meticulous surveillance conducted by Israeli intelligence on Hezbollah's leadership. In addition to monitoring personal relationships, Israeli spies recruited informants within the group to plant listening devices in bunkers and reveal hideout locations.
Following a series of attacks targeting Hezbollah leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the killing of Nasrallah, who had led the organization for three decades. Nasrallah was reportedly killed in an Israeli air raid that destroyed multiple buildings in Beirut. Despite warnings to change locations, Nasrallah remained in an underground bunker, unaware of the extent of Israeli intelligence operations tracking his movements.
The strike on Nasrallah's bunker, carried out by Israeli F-15 jets, resulted in his death alongside an Iranian general. The incident highlighted the sophisticated intelligence capabilities employed by Israel in its operations against Hezbollah.
