The Israeli army launched an airstrike on the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday, killing Ibrahim Aqil, one of Hezbollah’s top military commanders, and seven others, and injuring 59 people. This is the third airstrike in southern Beirut since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023. The ongoing conflict in the region has now shifted dramatically from Gaza to Lebanon.
Hezbollah has faced unprecedented attacks from Israel in the past few days. This also includes the pager attack on September 16, when thousands of communication devices used by Hezbollah fighters suddenly began to explode. The incident has killed 37 people and injured more than 3,000. Hezbollah said there was an Israeli conspiracy behind the pager attack, but Israel has not yet commented.
Who is Ibrahim Akil?
Ibrahim Aqil was the head of the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s top military unit. He was also the second commander-in-chief of Hezbollah’s armed forces after Fuad Shukhar. Saudi Al-Hadath channel confirmed Ibrahim Aqil’s death, citing a source close to Hezbollah. According to the U.S. State Department, Ibrahim Aqil also served in the Jihad Council, Hezbollah’s top military body.
Aqil was also a prominent member of the Islamic Jihad group Hezbollah, which claimed responsibility for major attacks, including the bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut in April 1983. The attack killed 63 people. In October 1983, a US Marine barracks was attacked, killing 241 US military personnel. During this period, Aqil also directed Hezbollah fighters to take American and German citizens hostage in Lebanon. In April 2023, the United States announced a reward of $7 million (about Rs. 60 crore) for anyone who provided information about him.
Fuad Shoukhar was killed in July 2024
On July 27 this year, Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on the Israeli Majdal Shams football stadium, killing 12 children. Israel holds Fuad Shoukhar responsible for the attack. On July 30, 2024, Israel killed Hezbollah’s top commander Fuad Shoukhar in an airstrike in Beirut. Shoukhar’s assistant, Hamas leader Saleh Aluri, was also killed in the attack. At the same time, Israel vowed to continue operations to protect its citizens from potential threats from Hezbollah.
IDF says it will continue operations
The statement came hours after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) killed Ibrahim Aqil, the head of Hezbollah’s operations department. IDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said Hezbollah has fired more than 8,000 rockets, missiles and explosives at Israeli civilians using drones, forcing more than 60,000 Israelis to leave their homes. He said we will continue to carry out operations in all areas of Lebanon for the safety of Israeli citizens.
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