Israel escalates military campaign against Hezbollah with Beirut Airstrike

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel conducted an airstrike in Beirut on Friday, killing top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil along with several other senior members of the Iran-backed militant group. This operation marks a new phase in Israel’s military efforts aimed at securing the border area with Lebanon.

The Israeli military confirmed Aqil’s death, identifying him as the acting commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan special forces unit. The airstrike targeted a meeting of high-ranking commanders in the Dahiyeh district of southern Beirut, resulting in widespread devastation. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 14 people were reported dead, with the toll expected to rise as rescue teams continued to search through the rubble. Initial reports indicated that around 66 individuals sustained injuries, nine of whom were in critical condition.

Hezbollah acknowledged Aqil’s death, referring to it as a “treacherous Israeli assassination.” In a subsequent statement, the group confirmed that another commander, Ahmed Wahbi, was also killed in the strike. Witnesses described a series of loud explosions, indicating the severity of the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the clarity of Israel’s objectives, asserting that the country would persist in its military operations until the safety of northern residents is assured. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated this stance, stating that Israel has entered a new phase of warfare aimed at safeguarding its citizens from threats posed by Hezbollah.

The conflict has intensified since October, when Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. Thousands of residents on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border have been evacuated as tensions escalate.

The Israeli military claims to have killed approximately ten senior Hezbollah commanders during the airstrike, which it framed as a strategic move against the militant group. This strike comes on the heels of other reported attacks that involved the detonation of communication devices used by Hezbollah members, resulting in numerous casualties.

Hezbollah’s leadership has warned of further repercussions in response to the airstrike, indicating that the group will not easily absorb this loss. As the situation continues to unfold, both sides remain on high alert, bracing for potential escalations in hostilities.