The wanted man, Zain al-Abidin Naif al-Masri (born in 1972), died from severe injuries after being shot during a raid and clashing with a force from the Directorate of Intelligence in the town of Hourtala. Al-Masri was transported injured to Dar al-Amal University Hospital in Baalbek, but his relatives and family members attempted to surround the hospital to help him escape after learning he was still alive. Clashes occurred between the army and armed individuals around the al-Amal hospital.
Later, the Lebanese Army clarified the situation in a statement, especially as events escalated inside the hospital where gunfire was exchanged. The statement from the Army Command - Directorate of Guidance read: "Today, a special unit from the Directorate of Intelligence conducted surveillance of an armed gang in the town of Hourtala led by the wanted (Z.M.), accused of participating in shooting at a Directorate of Intelligence patrol during a raid on February 16, 2023, which resulted in the martyrdom of 3 soldiers, in addition to drug trafficking and theft."
The statement added: "During the surveillance operation, gunfire was exchanged with gang members, leading to the death of the wanted man. The operation was followed by army forces surrounding a hospital in the area after the deceased was transported there, as some gang members fired inside the hospital and attempted to take citizens hostage, resulting in an exchange of gunfire with them. Several gang members were arrested, and a quantity of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment were seized. Investigations have begun with the detainees under the supervision of the competent judiciary, and efforts continue to apprehend the remaining members of the gang."
