Egypt Daily News – The Israeli army confirmed conducting airstrikes targeting the Lebanese capital. Initial reports indicate that the strikes were aimed at high-ranking Hezbollah officials, specifically focusing on Ibrahim Aqil, the commander of special operations within the group.
Ibrahim Aqil, the commander of the Al-Ridwan forces in Hezbollah killed
Ibrahim Aqeel is the commander of special operations in “Hezbollah” and is considered one of the senior military leaders in the organization. He is also known as “Tahseen,” is a member of the “Jihad Council,” which is considered the highest military authority in “Hezbollah.”
According to the U.S. State Department, Aqeel was also part of the “Islamic Jihad” organization, which claimed responsibility for the 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy in Beirut, resulting in the deaths of 63 people.
The U.S. State Department reported that the Islamic Jihad cell, of which Ibrahim Aqil was a member, was also responsible for the attack on the U.S. Marine barracks in October 1983, which resulted in the deaths of 241 American soldiers.
The airstrikes were reported to have taken place near Al-Qaim Mosque in the Al-Jamous area, using an F35 jet fighter to launch the missiles.
The Lebanese news agency has reported that this attack resulted in casualties, including the tragic loss of at least five children, amidst a broader count of 14 fatalities and 66 injuries, with several individuals in critical condition.
Hezbollah-affiliated media confirmed casualties from the strike, while the Israeli army spokesperson stated the aggressive action marks a new phase in their conflict with Hezbollah, asserting their continued commitment to pursue threats posed by the group.
The airstrike follows a pattern of targeted operations by Israel in Lebanon, including previous strikes against high-profile Hezbollah leaders.
In response to these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed an upcoming visit to the United States by 24 hours, indicating the seriousness with which the country is treating the situation.
The implications of these airstrikes and the targeted efforts against Hezbollah could contribute to further escalation in the region. The fate of Ibrahim Aqil remains uncertain, as no confirmation has been released regarding whether he survived the attack.