Alerts

Samir Kuntar: Iranian Proxy Leader Killed in Syria

Sacred Shiite site in Syria becomes killing field
Share this
Samir Kuntar
Samir Kuntar

Table of Contents

The assassination of Samir Kuntar on December 20, 2015, marks a further stage in Israel’s struggle, so far successful, against Iran’s attempts to turn the Golan Heights into an active anti-Israeli front. From Israel’s standpoint in general, and that of the families of victims of Palestinian terror in particular, this strike constitutes the closing of a circle. In April 1979, Kuntar took part in a Palestine Liberation Front terror attack in Nahariya that killed four Israelis. Several Hizbullah fighters and Iranians were also killed in Sunday’s strike.

Kuntar received by Hizbullah’s Nasrallah
Kuntar received by Hizbullah’s Nasrallah (Alalam)

Click to view a 30-year gallery of Kuntar’s career (Alalam)

Kuntar, immediately upon being freed in 2008, was welcomed with open arms by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s representative in Lebanon, Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Working in accordance with Tehran’s instructions and receiving assistance from Hizbullah, he began building a network of terror operatives for attacks against Israel in the Golan area. 1In September 2015 the U.S. State Department designated Kuntar as a terror operative2 and called him “one of the group’s [Hizbullah’s] most visible and popular spokesmen.” Kuntar’s partner in planning the attacks against Israel from the Golan and the Har Dov area, Jihad Mughniyeh, was killed in an Israeli air force raid in January 2015 in the Kuneitra area.

Kuntar's brother's tweet

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, announced that Kuntar, “known in Lebanon as ‘Dean of the liberated detainees,’ was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Jaramana.” Tasnim also reported that Kuntar’s brother had confirmed his death on his Twitter account3 and had said the family “was honored to join families of martyrs.”4

Samir Kuntar’s assassination in Jaramana, which is in the southeastern part of the Damascus governorate, occurred very close to the Shiite pilgrimage site of Set Zaynab (the daughter of the Shiite Imam Ali and granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad). Dozens of Hizbullah, Revolutionary Guard, and Basij (the volunteer arm of the Revolutionary Guard) fighters, as well as Shiites brought by Iran to Syria to protect the site along with Bashar Assad’s regime, have already been killed in defending Set Zayna. 

The operation also occurred at a time when the Russian air force, air forces of the Western anti-Islamic State coalition, and Iranian forces have been active in the vicinity. It indicates a high level of coordination and understandings between Israel and Russia both regarding flight zones and attack targets in the Syrian-Lebanese theater, aimed at preventing any possibility of a clash between them. This sensitivity has increased since Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane.

Iran will likely respond to Kuntar’s assassination within the limits of its capabilities in the Lebanese-Hizbullah theater and not spill over to Syria.  This is in keeping with Russia’s dictates and desire to keep the Syrian president in power at a sensitive time when negotiations on a solution to the Syrian crisis, presided over by Russia with American consent, are being conducted. At the same time, the fact that Kuntar was killed near one of the Shiite shrines while Iranians were also killed, and will keep being killed in its defense, may lead Iran, via Hizbullah, to carry out a  “proportionate” retaliation in the Golan area, Kuntar’s last stomping ground.

Kuntar with Syrian President Bashar Assad
Kuntar with Syrian President Bashar Assad (Roayah News)

Click to see more pictures of Kuntar’s career

Al-Alam, the Iranian Arabic-language news channel that broadcasts to a target audience in the Arab world, has already offered an overview of Samir Kuntar’s activity in the anti-Israeli struggle, period of imprisonment, and release. In one form or another, Iran’s support for the terror organizations operating against Israel will continue, and Kuntar’s family will join the families of shahids that receive support from Tehran.5 For his efforts against Israel, Kuntar was given the honor of meeting with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

 

* * *

Notes

1 https://jcpa.org/hizbullahs-golan-heights-front/

2 https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/246687.htm

3 https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2015/12/20/947914/former-lebanese-prisoner-samir-qantar-killed-in-israeli-airstrike-near-damascus

4 https://www.facebook.com/balkantar/posts/10153801191072065; https://twitter.com/balkantar/status/678465637249916928?lang=en

5 https://www.alalam.ir/news/1771029

 

Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael Segall

IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall, an expert on strategic issues with a focus on Iran, terrorism, and the Middle East, is a senior analyst at Acumen Risk Advisors. He previously served as a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
Share this

Invest in JCFA

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close