In a significant escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut Friday led to the death of Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah military commander. Hezbollah confirmed Aqil's death, stating that he was among several senior figures of the group killed in the strike. This marks a new phase of heightened tension, sparking concerns about the possibility of an all-out war.
Casualties and Damage in Beirut
Lebanese officials reported that at least 14 people were killed and dozens were injured in the densely populated Dahieh area, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut. The airstrike caused massive destruction, including the collapse of a residential building, while emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue the wounded and search for survivors. Streets were cordoned off by Hezbollah members following the strike, which dealt another blow to the group in a week marked by security breaches and internal disruptions.
Following the attacks, a senior United Nations official warned of the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN’s political affairs chief, told the Security Council that the region could face devastation greater than previously witnessed if tensions continue to escalate. Her statement came after a series of deadly incidents, including an explosion of Hezbollah communication devices earlier in the week.
Israeli Military Confirms Aqil’s Death
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Ibrahim Aqil's death, describing him as a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces. According to an IDF spokesperson, Aqil was killed alongside other top Hezbollah operatives in an underground bunker in Dahieh. Israel accused the group of using civilians as human shields and stated that Aqil and his team were planning an attack to infiltrate Israeli territory and harm civilians, a plot first uncovered by Israel in 2018.
Hezbollah acknowledged Aqil's death on social media, honoring him as a "great jihadist leader." Aqil was a key figure within the group, wanted by the U.S. for his involvement in various terrorist activities, including the bombings of the U.S. embassy and a marine barracks in Beirut during the 1980s. Hezbollah was founded with Iranian backing in the early 1980s to oppose Israel during Lebanon’s civil war.
Hours before Aqil’s death, Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, which the Israeli military responded to with extensive airstrikes on southern Lebanon. Over 140 rockets were fired into Israel, while Israeli warplanes targeted Hezbollah rocket launchers and weapons storage sites. This cross-border violence has been escalating since October 8, when Hezbollah began supporting Hamas following their unprecedented attack on Israel.
Fears Amongst People
The death of Aqil, combined with the escalating military operations between Israel and Hezbollah, has deepened concerns about a wider conflict. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned Israel’s actions in a televised address, accusing it of crossing "all red lines" but indicated that the group is not currently seeking a broader conflict with Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. and UK have advised their citizens against traveling to Lebanon as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions continue.
At the United Nations, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habbib accused Israel of undermining ceasefire efforts and called for the international community to intervene. Israeli UN envoy Danny Danon, while affirming that Israel is not pursuing a wider conflict, reiterated that the country would not tolerate further provocations from Hezbollah. As diplomatic efforts intensify, there remains a looming threat of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.
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With inputs from agencies
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