The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Fuad Shukr, the Hezbollah commander who was behind a drone strike that killed 12 children and teens over the weekend.

Shukr, who was also known as Hajj Mohsin, joined Hezbollah in 1985. He was also sought by the U.S. government over his connection to the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which targeted U.S. Marines. 

Shukr served as a senior adviser to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at the time of his death. He died in an IDF strike on Tuesday in southern Beirut, Lebanon.

The IDF confirmed the news in a press release, announcing that its fighter jets ‘eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s most senior military commander [Shukr].’ 

Hezbollah has not confirmed that Shukr is deceased.

‘As the Head of Hezbollah’s Strategic Unit, Fuad was responsible for the majority of Hezbollah’s most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs,’ the release said. ‘He was responsible for force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel.’

Recently, Hezbollah killed a dozen children on a soccer field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams in an airstrike on Saturday. Hezbollah has denied involvement, though the IDF and U.S. military dispute that claim.

The devastating strike infuriated Israeli officials, prompting the IDF to launch missiles towards Lebanon shortly after. One missile struck an apartment building next to a hospital in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut.

A senior Israeli official told Fox News earlier on Tuesday that Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant was in contact with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin regarding the present situation. 

‘This was about sending a clear message. We don’t want to see a wider war,’ the source said. ‘Now this is in the hands of Hezbollah. Within 24 hours after the rocket attack in the Golan Heights, this response was being discussed among other options.’

On X, Gallant said that Shukr ‘has the blood of many Israelis on his hands.’

‘Tonight, we have shown that the blood of our people has a price, and that there is no place out of reach for our forces to this end,’ he added.

Congressman Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) commended the IDF for eliminating Shukr in a statement on X, where he referenced the 1983 attack against Marines.

‘For the families and victims of the 1983 Beirut bombing, THANK YOU Israel,’ Waltz, a Marine veteran, wrote. ‘Semper Fi.’

The Associated Press, Reuters and Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace, Trey Yingst and Gillian Turner contributed to this report.

President Biden’s senior adviser Anita Dunn, who has longtime ties to former President Barack Obama, is leaving the White House to join a top Democratic super PAC to support its efforts to elect Vice President Harris in November, Fox News has learned. 

Dunn served as a political strategist and adviser to Biden on his 2020 campaign and served in the White House during his first term. Sources told Fox News that Dunn was effectively exiled from Biden’s inner circle in the days and weeks following his disastrous debate performance against former President Trump in June. Dunn played a heavy role in preparing Biden for that showdown. 

‘Four years ago, when I launched my campaign for the battle for the soul of our nation, I was grateful Anita Dunn was right there with me. I’ve known Anita throughout my career,’ Biden said in a statement Tuesday. 

‘She’s served our nation through three Administrations and countless campaigns for candidates at every level. She’s not only a key senior member of our team that helped us win a historic election in 2020 – she’s also been an invaluable part of our White House.’ 

Biden said Dunn is ‘tough and tested, and her experience and intellect have helped us deliver historic results for the American people.’ 

‘I deeply value her counsel and friendship and I will continue to rely on her partnership and insights as we finish the job over the next six months,’ Biden said. 

Dunn said it has been ‘an honor and privilege to serve in this White House, with this President and this team, during this transformational term.’ 

Fox News has learned that Dunn is joining Future Forward, the super PAC, and will help with their efforts on behalf of Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee. 

It’s unclear what specific role Dunn will be assuming at Future Forward or what her duties will entail.

Before joining the White House, Dunn served as a senior adviser on Biden’s presidential campaign. 

A source told Fox News that Dunn was widely credited with having steered the 2020 Biden campaign ‘so ably’ after Iowa and New Hampshire – an interim period before then-Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon was brought on board.

Dunn also previously served as a chief strategist for Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and then served as his White House communications director until 2009.

A source told Fox News that when Biden decided to announce the suspension of his re-election campaign amid pressure from within the Democratic Party after the debate, Dunn found out about his decision just one minute before the public – on a call with the rest of Biden’s staff. 

Multiple sources told Fox News there was a long-standing rift between Hunter Biden, Dunn, and Dunn’s husband, Bob Bauer. Dunn and Bauer had advocated that Biden keep his son’s legal issues far away from the White House. 

After the debate, sources said Hunter ‘got his way’ and the inner circle began to exclude Dunn. 

A source familiar with Dunn’s exit said she could have remained in her role should she have chosen to. 

Dunn’s departure is being quietly celebrated by some Biden-Harris administration staffers who have had frosty relations with her throughout her tenure, sources said. The sources suggested staffers believe Dunn was behind a series of leaks – including one pushing for the ouster of White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre – a story which never materialized. 

Additional sources within the White House voiced suspicion to Fox News that Dunn also may have been responsible for leaks about Hunter Biden’s presence in Biden’s meetings with senior advisors, while pressure was building to end his campaign and his family encouraged him to remain in the race. 

Sources told Fox News that Hunter was pushing his father to dismiss Dunn at the time – a move fueled by their longstanding rift.

Other sources within the White House rejected the idea that Dunn would have played any role in the leaks, which sought to direct blame over the debate fallout to aides closest to the president.

President Biden’s senior advisor Anita Dunn is leaving the White House to join a top Democratic Super PAC to support its efforts to elect Vice President Harris in November, Fox News has learned. 

Dunn served as a political strategist and adviser to Biden on his 2020 campaign and served in the White House during his first term. 

‘Four years ago, when I launched my campaign for the battle for the soul of our nation, I was grateful Anita Dunn was right there with me. I’ve known Anita throughout my career,’ Biden said in a statement Tuesday. 

‘She’s served our nation through three Administrations and countless campaigns for candidates at every level. She’s not only a key senior member of our team that helped us win a historic election in 2020 – she’s also been an invaluable part of our White House.’ 

Biden said Dunn is ‘tough and tested, and her experience and intellect have helped us deliver historic results for the American people.’ 

‘I deeply value her counsel and friendship and I will continue to rely on her partnership and insights as we finish the job over the next six months,’ Biden said. 

Dunn said it has been ‘an honor and privilege to serve in this White House, with this President and this team, during this transformational term.’ 

Fox News has learned that Dunn is joining Future Forward, the Super PAC, and will help with their efforts on behalf of Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee. 

Before joining the White House, Dunn served as a senior adviser on Biden’s presidential campaign. 

A source told Fox News that Dunn was widely credited with having steered the 2020 Biden campaign ‘so ably’ after Iowa and New Hampshire — an interim period before then-Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon was brought on board.

Dunn also previously served as a chief strategist for former President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and then served as his White House communications director until 2009.

But sources told Fox News that Dunn was effectively exiled from Biden’s inner circle in the days and weeks following his disastrous debate performance against former President Trump in June. Dunn played a heavy role in preparing Biden for that showdown. 

A source told Fox News that when Biden decided to announce the suspension of his re-election campaign amid pressure from within the Democratic party after the debate, Dunn found out about his decision just one minute before the public — on a call with the rest of Biden’s staff. 

Multiple sources told Fox News there was a longstanding rift between Hunter Biden, Dunn, and Dunn’s husband, Bob Bauer. Bauer had advocated that Biden keep his son’s legal issues far away from the White House. 

After the debate, sources said Hunter ‘got his way’ and the inner circle began to exclude Dunn. 

A source familiar with Dunn’s exit said she could have remained in her role should she have chosen to. 

A group of House Republicans is accusing the U.S. Secret Service of a potential ‘pattern of negligence’ amid continued fallout over the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., is leading a letter to acting USSS Director Ronald Rowe raising alarms about a recent report suggesting the agency could be facing some negative revelations in a forthcoming Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General report about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

‘It is unfathomable that an assassin was able to gain access to and fire shots at President Trump from an unsecure building with a direct line of sight to the rally stage. It is equally unfathomable that public reporting suggests that U.S. Secret Service had identified the building as a potential vulnerability and failed to include that vulnerability within the security perimeter or otherwise ensure the security of the roof,’ the lawmakers wrote of the July 13 shooting at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The letter then pivoted to a Politico report, stating, ‘Public reporting indicates that the Secret Service is in possession of a draft report by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) focused on Secret Service’s preparation for and response to events on January 6, 2021.’

‘The story specifically states that the release of the report ‘could cast light on a series of embarrassing security lapses for the agency,’’ the letter said.

‘Congress, and the American people, deserve to understand whether the security lapses at the July 13, 2024, rally are part of a larger pattern of negligence on the part of the Secret Service.’

Republicans are asking Rowe for a summary of the DHS watchdog report’s findings and recommendations for the Secret Service, and how those steps were carried out ahead of the Trump rally shooting, by July 31.

The letter is also signed by Reps. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., and Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo.

The Secret Service has been under a mountain of scrutiny in the wake of the shooting, which saw a 20-year-old gunman kill one rally attendee and critically injure two others. Trump himself was shot in the ear and rushed offstage by security agents.

The pushback led to the resignation of former Director Kimberly Cheatle last week after a heated House Oversight Committee hearing.

Rowe testified in an equally high-pressure scenario before the Senate on Tuesday, where he told lawmakers on the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees that the rally shooting was a ‘failure’ of his agency.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Secret Service for comment.

The leader of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 has stepped down amid unrelenting criticism of the program from former President Trump and Democrats’ continued efforts to link Trump’s campaign to the project.

Billed by Heritage as a blueprint for a future Republican administration to restructure many parts of the U.S. government, Project 2025, also known as the Presidential Transition Project, launched in April 2022 and is not associated with Trump’s campaign.

Trump called the program ‘absolutely ridiculous and abysmal’ as the then-Biden campaign was zeroing in, pointing to the 900-page conservative plan to steer voters away from a second Trump administration. 

Kevin Roberts, president of Heritage, issued a statement Monday confirming that the project’s leader, Paul Dans, would be stepping down. 

‘Under Paul Dans’ leadership, Project 2025 has completed exactly what it set out to do: bringing together over 110 leading conservative organizations to create a unified conservative vision, motivated to devolve power from the unelected administrative state, and returning it to the people. This tool was built for any future administration to use,’ said Roberts. 

‘When we began Project 2025 in April 2022, we set a timeline for the project to conclude its policy drafting after the two party conventions this year, and we are sticking to that timeline. Paul, who built the project from scratch and bravely led this endeavor over the past two years, will be departing the team and moving up to the front where the fight remains,’ he continued. 

‘We are extremely grateful for his and everyone’s work on Project 2025 and dedication to saving America. Our collective efforts to build a personnel apparatus for policymakers of all levels – federal, state, and local – will continue,’ he said. 

The Trump campaign responded to the news, saying, ‘Reports of Project 2025’s demise would be greatly welcomed.’

‘President Trump’s campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way,’ the campaign said. ‘Reports of Project 2025’s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign — it will not end well for you.’

Vice President Kamala Harris could name her running mate as soon as later this week or next week.

Harris quickly coalesced Democratic Party support in the two days after President Biden’s blockbuster July 21 announcement that he was ending his 2024 re-election bid against former President Trump and endorsing his vice president.

With Harris now considered the party’s presumptive presidential nominee – thanks to what her campaign says are verbal commitments of support from a majority of the delegates attending the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago – focus has now turned to whom she’ll choose as her running mate.

A number of the politicians considered near the top of her list have been campaigning on behalf of the vice president the past few days.

A couple of potential contenders – such as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer – in recent days have taken their names out of the mix.

But with the clock ticking toward the expected announcement, here are five top Democrats who are believed to still be in contention to serve as the vice president’s running mate.

Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona

The 60-year-old Kelly, a former Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, has represented swing state Arizona in the Senate since 2020.

He won a special election to succeed the late GOP Sen. John McCain, becoming the first Democrat in four decades to hold the seat. Kelly easily won re-election in 2022.

As a border-state Democrat, Kelly has highlighted his differences with the Biden-Harris administration when it comes to combating the influx of migrants over the southern border with Mexico. That could come in handy as the Trump campaign and Republicans repeatedly blast Biden and Harris over the issue of border security.

Kelly is the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, who was severely injured in a 2011 shooting and has become a prominent gun safety advocate. 

The senator would not only help Harris with the electoral map and the message, but also with the money. Kelly is a proven fundraiser who hauled in nearly $90 million for his 2022 re-election, when he won a full term in the Senate.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Shapiro, 51, served six years as Pennsylvania’s attorney general before winning election as governor in 2022.

If named to the ticket, it’s likely the governor would give the Democrats a boost in Pennsylvania, a crucial northeastern battleground state.

Shapiro could also make history as the first Jewish vice president in the nation’s history.

The governor, who has been campaigning on behalf of Harris in Pennsylvania the past few days, obviously helps her with the map, but also with money, as Shapiro raised big bucks for his 2022 gubernatorial victory and has continued to build strong bonds with top dollar national donors.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz

The 60-year-old Walz is in his second term as governor of Minnesota, a state that Democrats have reliably won in presidential elections but which is now considered to be competitive.

Walz can also showcase a slew of progressive policy victories, including protecting abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana and restricting gun access.

While Minnesota isn’t considered a top battleground state, the Trump campaign since the spring has signaled that it would try to put the state in play. But having the plainspoken Walz on the national ticket could also help Harris in the two neighboring Midwestern swing states – Wisconsin and Michigan.

And Walz, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, has helped steer the organization to record-breaking fundraising this year.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor went from long shot to a top contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

As transportation secretary, the 42-year-old Buttigieg has been one of Biden’s most visible Cabinet members, often speaking out on behalf of the administration in TV interviews.

Buttigieg, a Rhodes scholar who also served in the war in Afghanistan, made history as the first openly gay person confirmed to a presidential Cabinet position.

While Indiana is solidly red, Buttigieg now calls neighboring battleground Michigan home. He’s also a veteran of the Sunday talk shows and cable news networks, who would help Harris with the message, and has presidential level fundraising experience from his 2020 White House bid.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

The 46-year-old Beshear was elected attorney general in 2015 and four years later won election as governor in deep red Kentucky.

Last November, he was re-elected by five points in a state Biden lost by 26 points in 2020.

Beshear is following in his father’s footsteps. Steve Beshear won election and re-election as Kentucky governor in 2007 and 2011.

The younger Beshear has been effective in keeping his distance from the national party by focusing on state issues and highlighting economic progress and his handling of natural disasters. But he’s also spotlighted his support for abortion rights and his progress on health care and education.

While Beshear on the ticket wouldn’t help Harris with the map – Kentucky’s bright red in presidential elections – he’s drawn stark contrasts with Trump running mate Sen. JD Vance in interviews the past week, which could help with the message. As for the money, Beshear has built bonds with national donors. 

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said that men are ‘more free’ in a country with access to abortion and birth control, a perspective which one pro-life group says ‘undermines the value of women.’

‘I’m so glad she has made freedom the theme of her campaign, because I think in so many ways that’s at stake,’ Buttiegieg said of Vice President Kamala Harris during a ‘White Dudes for Harris’ virtual campaign event on Monday. ‘Of course, women’s freedom is Exhibit A after Donald Trump demolished the right to choose. But, of course, men are also more free in a country where we have a president who stands up for things like access to abortion care.’ 

‘Men are more free when the leader of the free world, the leader of this country, supports access to birth control and to IVF,’ he added.

Fox News Digital asked Buttigieg to expand on what he meant when he said abortion access made men freer, but his office did not respond at press time. 

Andrea Trudden, vice president of communications and marketing for Heartbeat International, a network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers, said the comment was ‘deeply troubling.’ 

‘This perspective not only undermines the value of women and their inherent dignity, but also perpetuates a culture that evades responsibility and fails to support women in their time of need,’ Truden told Fox News Digital. ‘This is a stark reminder of the cultural shift that needs to happen – one where men are called to embrace their roles as responsible adults who support women and children.’

Buttigieg has been floated as a potential running mate for Harris, though he is not at the top of the list of rumored candidates. 

Also on the ‘White Dudes for Harris’ campaign call were award-winning actor Jeff Bridges, ‘Lord of the Rings’ star Sean Astin and singer Josh Groban. 

Organizers said the goal of the fundraiser was to not ‘let the MAGA crowd bully other White guys into voting for a hateful and divisive ideology.’

Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee for president, is reportedly close to making a decision on a running mate and will kick off a battleground tour next week. 

Harris will make appearances next week in key battleground states with her choice of vice president, indicating that she is close to making her decision, Reuters reported.

The list of possible choices reportedly includes Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Harris jumped to the top of the Democratic ticket a little over a week ago after, facing insurmountable pressure from his party, President Biden dropped out of the race even though he had insisted for weeks he was ‘in it to win it.’

Biden endorsed his vice president to take his spot. Harris has since raised over $200 million. She is expected to be formally nominated at the Democratic National Convention next month. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.