Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander and several senior figures in an airstrike on Beirut on Friday, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group.
The Israeli military, along with a security source in Lebanon, confirmed the death of Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah commander, in the strike. Aqil and other members of Hezbollah’s elite unit were targeted as part of Israel’s intensified military campaign near the Lebanese border.
Hezbollah confirmed Aqil’s death in a statement, calling him “one of its top leaders.” The group later issued another statement, saying that the strike occurred in the Dahiyeh suburbs of Beirut and described it as a “treacherous Israeli assassination.” In addition to Aqil, Hezbollah reported that Ahmed Wahbi, a commander overseeing military operations for the Radwan special forces during the Gaza conflict, was also killed.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that at least 14 people were killed in the strike, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continued. Among the casualties were at least six Hezbollah commanders, according to a security source, who were meeting inside a building when multiple missiles hit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military objectives were clear, stating that the new phase of operations would continue until the northern region was secured. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated this, posting on X that the military campaign would persist until northern residents could safely return to their homes.
The conflict has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel, which last fought a full-scale war against Hezbollah in 2006, has stated its readiness to use force to protect its citizens in the north. The airstrike follows two days of attacks that targeted Hezbollah members, widely believed to have been conducted by Israel, though not officially confirmed.
