In a significant escalation of the year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut Friday killed top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil and other senior figures. The Israeli military confirmed Aqil’s death, describing him as the acting commander of the Radwan special forces unit. According to Lebanese sources, Aqil sat on Hezbollah’s top military council.
The airstrike, which targeted a meeting of senior Hezbollah commanders, killed 12 people and wounded 66 others, with nine in critical condition. Rescue teams searched for people trapped under rubble as drones continued to fly over Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel’s goals were clear, and its actions spoke for themselves. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to continue the new phase of war until residents near the Lebanese border can return home safely.
Tensions have intensified since Hezbollah began rocketing Israel in sympathy with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has warned it will use force to ensure citizen safety. The strike marks the second time Israel targeted a leading Hezbollah commander in Beirut in less than two months.
Hezbollah has not officially confirmed Aqil’s death but retaliated with Katyusha rockets targeting Israeli intelligence headquarters. The White House urged Americans to avoid Lebanon, while emphasizing war is not inevitable.
The conflict, ignited by the Gaza war, has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. This week’s escalation raises concerns of further intensification.
Iran condemned the Israeli airstrike, while the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon called for an end to the “extremely dangerous cycle of violence.”
