Top Hezbollah Commander Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Beirut Amid Escalating Tensions

Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike targeted the group’s stronghold, killing 14 people. Aqil was accused of planning attacks on civilians. This follows ongoing cross-border clashes, with hundreds dead. UN officials warned of a potential broader conflict, while Hezbollah vowed retaliation.

A senior Hezbollah military commander, Ibrahim Aqil, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, sparking fears of further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The airstrike hit a densely populated area in Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, causing at least one building to collapse and resulting in the deaths of 14 people, with dozens more injured. Hezbollah confirmed Aqil's death, describing him as one of their “great jihadist leaders.”

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that Aqil, a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, was hiding in a residential building alongside other senior operatives. The group was accused of using civilians as human shields. Hagari also noted that Aqil was involved in planning Hezbollah’s 'Conquer the Galilee' attack, which aimed to infiltrate Israeli communities and murder civilians.

The airstrike on Beirut follows a series of escalating attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides launching cross-border strikes since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023. Hundreds of Hezbollah fighters have been killed in the conflict, with both Israel and Lebanon experiencing casualties and large-scale displacement of civilians.

Aqil’s death is a significant blow to Hezbollah, which has suffered major losses in recent weeks. In addition to Friday’s airstrike, Israeli intelligence operations earlier this week led to the detonation of Hezbollah’s communication systems, causing chaos across Lebanon. This unprecedented breach saw Hezbollah's pagers and walkie-talkies explode, killing at least 37 members of the group and highlighting Israel's deep infiltration into Hezbollah's operations.

UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned that the situation in the Middle East risks escalating into a conflict that could “dwarf” the devastation seen so far. She urged member states with influence to intervene and prevent a full-scale war.

Also Read: How Israel's Mossad Used Shell Companies to Plant Explosives in Hezbollah Pagers

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed retaliation, condemning Israel for crossing "all rules, laws, and red lines" but indicated that the group was not interested in further escalation. However, the situation remains tense, with the risk of a broader conflict looming as international diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further deterioration.