Makdeh, a resident of Lebanon, operated under the direction of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, specifically within the Quds Force led by General Esmail Qa’ani.
The operation was carried out using a UAV in the Ein al-Hilwa refugee camp near Sidon, sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that Israel will not tolerate the smuggling of weapons into its territories.
Khalil Makdeh was closely associated with his brother, Munir Makdeh, a high-ranking terrorist operative also linked to the Iranian resistance axis.
Together, they coordinated efforts to conduct terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria and smuggle weapons into these areas.
Despite claims by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that Munir Makdeh has distanced himself from the Fatah movement, sources indicate that he remains a key figure within the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military arm of Fatah, which maintains close ties with Iran and Hezbollah.
The “Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades”, active in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Lebanon, receive substantial operational support, including funding and weapons, from Hezbollah and Iran.
In recent years, Munir Makdeh has reportedly strengthened his relations with the Islamic Jihad organization, another group closely aligned with Iran.
Israeli security officials have expressed serious concerns over Iran’s ongoing efforts to arm terrorist groups in northern Samaria with advanced weapons and explosives.
These actions are seen as part of a broader strategy to incite an armed intifada against the IDF and settlers in Judea and Samaria, with the ultimate goal of destabilizing the region and undermining the Palestinian Authority.
Last March, the Shin Bet uncovered a significant cache of weapons smuggled from Iran through Jordan, including firearms, ammunition, and large explosive devices.
Israeli security forces are actively working to disrupt these smuggling networks and thwart Iran’s attempts to establish a foothold in Judea and Samaria.
The assassination of Khalil Makdeh marks a significant blow to these efforts and is expected to be followed by further actions against individuals involved in the smuggling network.
This operation underscores Israel’s commitment to defending its borders and countering the influence of Iranian-backed terrorist organizations.
