Israel says killed 2 leaders of Palestinian group in Beirut Cola strike

The Israeli military said on Monday its forces killed at least two leaders of a left-wing Palestinian armed group, hours after the organization said its members were hit in a strike in central Beirut.

Israeli fighter jets "struck and eliminated the terrorist" Mohammad Abdel-Aal, head of the Lebanon branch of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the military said in a statement.

Imad Odeh, who oversaw the PFLP's military office in Lebanon, was also killed, according to the statement.

Abdel-Aal took part in planning and carrying out "terror attacks" against Israel and directed "terror activities" in the occupied West Bank, operating to establish "terror infrastructure" to use in attacks on Israeli civilians, the Israeli military said.

The army added that Abdel-Aal directed a bus bombing in Beitar Illit and a shooting attack at the Huwara Junction in 2023, during which two Israeli soldiers were injured.