In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israeli forces carried out a targeted airstrike on Beirut's southern Dahiya district, killing Ibrahim Akil, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, along with 10 other operatives. The attack marks one of the deadliest assaults on Beirut since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, intensifying fears of a broader war erupting in the Middle East.
Details of the Strike
The strike, which leveled an apartment building in the densely populated Dahiya neighborhood, claimed the lives of at least 14 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Among the dead was Akil, a Hezbollah leader who was instrumental in the group's military strategies and was a member of Hezbollah's highest military body, the Jihad Council. Akil was sanctioned by the United States for his involvement in the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut, which resulted in over 300 deaths.
Lebanese rescue teams scrambled to sift through the rubble, pulling out survivors and the dead from the collapsed building. Nine of the 66 injured are reportedly in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll may rise.
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah confirmed Akil’s death, praising him as a “great jihadist leader” who had dedicated his life to resistance against Israeli occupation. The group vowed retaliation, describing the Israeli action as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and an unprovoked act of aggression. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had already hinted at the possibility of revenge for a string of recent attacks on Hezbollah pager communication devices, which resulted in the deaths of 37 Hezbollah member and more than 3000 injured earlier this week.
Read more:- Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah Breaks Silence: Declares Israeli Pager Attacks a 'Declaration of War'.
A New Phase of War
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the strike as part of a "new phase of war" aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s military operations. He stated that Akil’s death was a critical step in securing northern Israel and preventing future Hezbollah attacks. The Israeli military alleged that Akil and the other commanders were plotting attacks similar to Hamas Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel. Gallant reiterated Israel’s commitment to continue operations until the threat from Hezbollah is neutralized.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, chief spokesman for the Israeli military, emphasized that Israel’s operations in Lebanon are aimed at defending its citizens, even if it means targeting Hezbollah leaders in densely populated areas like Beirut. He accused Akil of using Lebanese civilians as human shields by conducting meetings in residential areas.
At the time of the strike, Aqil and the commanders of the Radwan Forces, were gathered underground under a residential building in the heart of the Dahiyah neighborhood, hiding among Lebanese civilians, using them as human shields.
Regional Fallout and Global Reactions
The airstrike has prompted concerns over a broader regional war, as cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated in recent days. Hezbollah launched 140 rockets into northern Israel in retaliation, targeting military sites. Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted most of the rockets, with minimal damage reported.
In addition to the heightened Israel-Hezbollah tensions, the ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to claim lives. On Friday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza reportedly killed 15 people, including children, as part of its military campaign against Hamas. Palestinian authorities claim the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 41,000, a figure that includes both civilians and combatants.
International Response
The escalating violence has drawn attention from global powers, with the United States and other Western nations urging restraint. The White House reiterated calls for U.S. citizens to leave Lebanon and avoid travel to the region amid the rising tensions. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials accused Israel of undermining efforts for a ceasefire, arguing that the latest strikes have further destabilized an already volatile situation.
As both sides brace for further conflict, the situation in Lebanon remains precarious, with analysts warning of the potential for full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel—a conflict that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.
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