By In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel conducted an airstrike in Beirut on Friday, killing a top Hezbollah commander, Ibrahim Aqil, along with other senior figures from the militant group. The Israeli military and Lebanese security sources confirmed Aqil’s death, which Hezbollah labeled a “treacherous Israeli assassination.”
The airstrike, which targeted a meeting in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, reportedly resulted in at least 14 fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 66 others were injured, nine critically.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s objectives were clear, while Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a new phase of military action aimed at securing the northern border. Since October, tensions have surged, with Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Hezbollah confirmed that alongside Aqil, who was a key figure in the group’s military council, several other commanders were also killed in the strike. Witnesses described a series of explosions, and local media reported ongoing searches for missing individuals, including children.
The airstrike follows a pattern of Israeli attacks targeting Hezbollah leadership, including the recent killing of Fuad Shukr in July. Aqil had a $7 million bounty on his head due to his involvement in past terrorist activities.
The U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon expressed concern over the strike’s implications, labeling it part of a “dangerous cycle of violence” that must end. Israeli military officials stated that the commanders targeted were involved in planning attacks on northern Israel, echoing tactics used during the recent escalation of violence.
