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Israeli Air Strike in Beirut Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander
A significant Israeli air strike in Beirut resulted in the death of a high-ranking Hezbollah military leader, marking a serious escalation in hostilities that raises concerns about the potential for an expanded conflict in the region.
Hezbollah confirmed the death of Ibrahim Aqil, whom Israel identified as one of several senior figures from the organization that were killed in the operation. According to Lebanese officials, the air strike targeted the heavily populated Dahieh area, known as a Hezbollah stronghold, leading to at least 14 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Emergency response teams scrambled to the site of the attack, working amid chaotic scenes to rescue survivors and search for those trapped under the debris. Among the casualties was a residential building that collapsed, leaving many others seriously damaged.
Following the air strike, streets in the vicinity were barricaded by members of Hezbollah, some visibly bewildered, as this attack compounded a series of humiliating setbacks earlier in the week for the group, including the malfunction of communication devices believed to be linked to Israeli intelligence efforts.
The strikes occurred on a backdrop of rising tensions following multiple attacks attributed to Israeli forces, which have reportedly resulted in significant casualties, including dozens killed and thousands injured over recent days.
This incident was the first air strike on Beirut since July, when an earlier Israeli operation claimed the life of Hezbollah’s military chief, Fuad Shukr. In a statement, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari emphasized that the strike targeted leaders allegedly involved in planning Hezbollah’s so-called “Conquer the Galilee” operation, which purportedly aimed at infiltrating Israeli cities.
The “Conquer the Galilee” initiative was flagged by the IDF in 2018 when the military claimed to have thwarted Hezbollah’s operations designed to breach Israeli borders. Recent U.S. statements indicated a renewed interest in Aqil, also known as Tahsin, who was targeted for his senior position within Hezbollah, labeled a terrorist organization by multiple nations, including the U.S. and Israel.
Aqil’s historical involvement in attacks on U.S. interests in Lebanon during the 1980s further escalates the severity of this incident. Hezbollah’s public acknowledgment of Aqil’s status as a “great jihadist leader” underlines the significance of his death within the ranks of the organization.
On the same day, Hezbollah launched its own retaliatory strikes against military sites in northern Israel, which led to the firing of over 140 rockets. This counteraction stemmed from extended Israeli air operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, where Israel claimed to have targeted over a hundred rocket launchers and other military assets.
The ongoing conflict, marked by heightened cross-border violence since October 8, 2023, has led to significant casualties and mass displacement, with both sides enduring losses. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated a shift in military focus towards the northern border, heightening the strategic implications of the current hostilities.
Further complicating the situation, recent explosions involving Hezbollah’s communication devices have revealed potential vulnerabilities within the group’s operational capabilities, contributing to rising tensions and fear among its ranks.
Hezbollah and Lebanese officials have accused Israel of orchestrating these communication explosions, although Israeli authorities have not publicly responded. Nonetheless, many analysts suggest a clear Israeli hand in these incidents.
In a recent speech, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the actions of Israel, characterizing them as a breach of established norms and an affront to humanitarian principles, while simultaneously indicating a reluctance to escalate the current conflict further.
Amid the escalating violence, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habbib has accused Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and destabilizing any attempts at restraint imposed by the Lebanese government.
Israel’s UN envoy stated that while the nation harbors no intentions of widening the conflict, it will remain vigilant against provocations posed by Hezbollah. Consequently, both the U.S. and UK governments have advised their citizens against travel to Lebanon amidst rising concerns for safety, with the White House reportedly engaged in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation along the Israel-Lebanon frontier.
Concurrently, the UK Foreign Office has reiterated its guidance for citizens in Lebanon to leave promptly while travel routes are still possible, and preparations are underway for the potential evacuation of British nationals if the security situation continues to deteriorate.
Source
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