Israeli airstrike/ Hezbollah/ Beirut/ Ibrahim Akil/ Lebanon-Israel conflict/ Newslooks/ Beirut/ Lebanon/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ An Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern Dahiya district killed senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Akil and 14 others. The strike, which marks a significant escalation, follows a series of cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah. Akil, involved in major Hezbollah operations, was a key figure on Hezbollah’s military council.
“Israel Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Commander Quick Looks”:
- Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills Ibrahim Akil, senior Hezbollah military commander.
- Lebanese officials report at least 14 dead and dozens injured in the strike.
- Hezbollah confirmed Akil’s death, calling him a “great jihadist leader.”
- The strike comes amid growing Israel-Hezbollah tensions following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel.
- Israel has heightened military readiness at the Lebanon border, warning of further strikes.
Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Kills Top Hezbollah Commander & 14 Others
Deep Look:
In a rare and deadly airstrike on Beirut, Israel targeted and killed senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Akil along with at least 14 others on Friday, marking one of the most significant escalations in years between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military confirmed the strike on Dahiya, a densely populated area in southern Beirut known as a Hezbollah stronghold, while Lebanese authorities reported dozens of casualties.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, confirmed that the airstrike killed Akil, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, and 10 other Hezbollah operatives. “We will continue pursuing our enemies in order to defend our citizens, even in Dahiya, in Beirut,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, calling the operation part of “a new phase of war.”
The strike occurred in the heart of Beirut’s Dahiya neighborhood, a well-known Hezbollah operational hub. Akil, a senior figure within Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, was a key player in planning military operations and had been sanctioned by the U.S. for his involvement in major attacks, including the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. The U.S. State Department had posted a $7 million reward for information leading to his arrest due to his involvement in several high-profile attacks, including the embassy bombing and hostage-taking incidents.
Hezbollah Confirms Loss of Key Commander
Hours after the strike, Hezbollah confirmed the death of Akil in a statement, calling him a “great jihadist leader” who had devoted his life to Hezbollah’s cause. The group vowed to continue its fight despite the loss. Akil’s death is a major blow to Hezbollah, which has lost several key leaders in recent years, further intensifying tensions between the group and Israel.
The airstrike came just hours after Hezbollah launched a barrage of 140 rockets into northern Israel, part of the ongoing conflict that has seen regular cross-border exchanges. Israeli military officials indicated that the strike on Akil was in retaliation for Hezbollah’s recent attacks on Israeli territory. Israel’s missile defense system, the Iron Dome, intercepted most of the rockets, with minimal damage reported in northern Israel.
A Turning Point in the Israel-Hezbollah Conflict?
The Israeli strike on Beirut is the deadliest attack on Lebanon’s capital since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, a month-long conflict that left thousands dead and much of Lebanon in ruins. The airstrike hit during rush hour, leveling an apartment building in the Jamous area of Dahiya, where Akil was reportedly meeting with other militants.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that 14 people were killed, and 66 others were injured in the strike, with nine people in critical condition. Footage from local news networks showed emergency workers searching through the rubble of the collapsed building, trying to rescue those trapped beneath.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
Friday’s airstrike came as tensions in the region continue to spiral, fueled by Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah and the broader war in Gaza. Over the past year, Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire regularly, but the intensity of the recent exchanges has raised concerns about a full-scale war between the two. The death of Akil, combined with Hezbollah’s vow to retaliate, has added to fears of a wider conflict that could further destabilize the region.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had vowed earlier in the week to avenge Israel’s sabotage of its communication devices, which resulted in widespread explosions that killed dozens of Hezbollah operatives and wounded nearly 3,000 others. Nasrallah described the attack as a severe blow but maintained that Hezbollah would continue striking Israel.
As Hezbollah’s response intensifies, Israel has mobilized additional military forces along its northern border with Lebanon, ordering residents in the area to stay close to bomb shelters. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant emphasized that Israel will not halt its military operations until northern Israeli communities can safely return to their homes. “We will press on until we achieve our goal,” Gallant said.
Hezbollah’s Retaliation and Global Repercussions
Following the airstrike, Hezbollah launched another wave of rocket attacks on northern Israel, specifically targeting Israeli intelligence bases. The group claimed the attacks were a direct response to the airstrike that killed Akil, raising fears of further escalation. Israel, however, remains firm in its stance, with military officials reiterating that they are prepared for both defensive and offensive operations.
In the midst of this rising conflict, Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, condemned the Israeli strike on Beirut, calling it a “new crime” and accusing Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty. As Israel deals with conflicts on multiple fronts, the international community watches anxiously, concerned that the already volatile Middle East could descend into broader warfare.
Casualties Continue to Mount in Gaza
Even as attention shifts to the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the conflict in Gaza continues to claim lives. Early Friday, Palestinian authorities reported that 15 people, including children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, with strikes targeting a family home and a group of people on the street. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that the total Palestinian death toll has surpassed 41,000, with widespread destruction and the displacement of 90% of the territory’s 2.3 million residents.
Israel launched its campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the group’s October 7 attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the capture of 250 hostages. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel continues its operations, stating that it is targeting militants while accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
As the conflict in Gaza rages on, the escalating tension between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to open a second front in the Middle East, adding to the already heavy toll of destruction and loss of life.
