Israeli forces have reportedly killed a top commander of the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah in a targeted airstrike targeting the Lebanese capital Beirut.
According to the New York Times (NYT) and AFP on the 20th (local time), the Israeli military announced that it conducted a targeted airstrike that day and killed about 10 high-ranking commanders, including Ibrahim Aqil, commander of Hezbollah’s special forces Radwan Force.
The airstrike reportedly caused an explosion that dented the ground and destroyed the lower floors of a high-rise building in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 14 people have been killed and more than 60 injured. The ministry said the death toll is expected to rise.
Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, said Aqil was killed while meeting with other senior commanders. “They were all plotting to attack civilians in northern Israel in the basement of a residential building in the center of the area, using civilians as human shields,” he said. “Aqil has a lot of blood on his hands,” he said. “He is responsible for the deaths of many civilians and innocent people.”
Aqil is the second-highest military official after Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in July. He was wanted by the U.S. government for his alleged role in the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut that killed more than 350 people. He was also accused of masterminding the kidnapping of American and German hostages in Lebanon. Last year, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to Aqil’s identity and location.
Hezbollah officially confirmed Aqil’s death. In a statement, Hezbollah called Aqil a “great leader” who “joined the ranks of his brothers and great saintly leaders through holy wars, injuries, sacrifices, risks, challenges, achievements and victories.”
Hezbollah has declared retaliation, pointing to Israel as the culprit behind the explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies in various parts of Lebanon on the 17th and 18th. It is reported that at least 37 people were killed and over 3,000 were injured in the explosions that occurred over the two days.
“It shows how exposed Hezbollah is to Israeli intelligence,” said Orna Mizrahi, a senior researcher at the Israel Institute for National Security Studies. “It’s humiliating to be targeted by such an operation.”
Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, declared retaliation in a video speech on the 19th, telling Israel to “come into southern Lebanon.” Hours after Nasrallah’s speech, Israel launched more than 52 airstrikes in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah’s weapons depot and key buildings were reportedly destroyed.
Hezbollah also attacked northern Israeli military facilities more than 17 times on the same day, using anti-tank missiles and drones.
As physical clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalate, concerns are growing that it could escalate into an all-out war.
Reporter Lee Hye-won, Donga.com [email protected]
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2024-09-22 11:17:30