MAYNILA. Ipinahayag ng Department of Health (DOH) na uunahin ang mga indibidwal na may mababang kita sa pagpapatupad ng zero-billing program sa mga ospital ng gobyerno. Layunin ng programang ito na lubos na mabawasan o alisin ang gastusin ng mga pasyente sa pagpapaospital.
Noong Setyembre 13, sa kanyang ika-67 kaarawan, ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa DOH na sagutin ang lahat ng gastusin ng mga inpatient, outpatient, at emergency services sa 22 pampublikong ospital sa buong bansa.
Mahigit ₱300 milyon ang inilaan para pondohan ang nasabing programa. Ayon kay Health Undersecretary Domingo, ang hakbang na ito ay bahagi ng mas malawak na plano ng gobyerno na mabawasan ang out-of-pocket na gastusin ng mga mamamayan pagdating sa kalusugan. Sa kasalukuyan, nasa ₱44 kada ₱100 ang kailangan pang gastusin ng mga Pilipino mula sa sarili nilang bulsa, ngunit target ng gobyerno na pababain ito sa ₱20-₱30 pagsapit ng 2029.
“Dapat ‘yung out of pocket na ₱44, dapat mapababa sa pinakamababa siguro ₱20-₱30. Sa mahihirap, dapat mapababa sa zero,” pahayag ni Domingo.
Ang zero-billing program ay isang hakbang ng pamahalaan upang masiguro na walang Pilipinong magbabayad mula sa sariling bulsa para sa serbisyong medikal, lalo na sa mahihirap na hanay ng lipunan.
RAMALLAH. Israeli troops raided Al Jazeera’s bureau in the West Bank city of Ramallah early Sunday, enforcing a military order to close the office for 45 days. The Qatar-based news network aired live footage of Israeli soldiers entering the bureau with weapons drawn, delivering the closure order to the Ramallah bureau chief, Walid al-Omari.
According to the Israeli military, the bureau was sealed, and its equipment confiscated following an intelligence assessment that accused the network of using its broadcasts “to incite terror and support terrorist activities.”
“The channel’s broadcasts endanger the security and public order in both the area and the State of Israel as a whole,” the military said in a statement.
Al Jazeera swiftly condemned the raid, labeling it “a criminal act” and held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government accountable for the safety of its journalists. The network vowed to pursue legal action to protect its rights and continue its reporting.
“Al Jazeera rejects the draconian actions and the unfounded allegations presented by Israeli authorities to justify these illegal raids,” the network said in a statement.
Al-Omari, speaking about the military order, said that Al Jazeera was accused of “incitement to and support of terrorism.” The soldiers, he reported, confiscated the bureau’s cameras before leaving.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi confirmed the closure, calling Al Jazeera “the mouthpiece” of Gaza’s Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. “We will continue to fight against enemy channels and ensure the safety of our heroic fighters,” Karhi said.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the raid, describing it as “a new violation against journalistic and media works,” accusing Israel of trying to silence reports exposing the occupation’s actions against Palestinians.
This is not the first time Israel has acted against Al Jazeera. In May, the Israeli government banned the network from operating within Israel, citing threats to national security. Following a court-authorized order, the Jerusalem hotel that served as Al Jazeera’s office was raided.
Al Jazeera, partially funded by the Qatari government, has consistently rejected accusations of harming Israel’s security, calling such claims “dangerous and ridiculous lies” that endanger its journalists. The network has also accused Israel of targeting and killing its reporters during the Gaza conflict, including Samer Abu Daqqa and Hamza AlDahdooh. Israel has denied these allegations.
Since its founding in 1996, Al Jazeera has been central to Qatar’s global media presence. Qatar, along with Egypt and the U.S., has been mediating ceasefire talks following Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel.
Tensions have escalated in the West Bank since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza, with Israeli forces conducting frequent raids and arrest sweeps. The violence has led to increased clashes between Israeli troops, Palestinian fighters, and Jewish settlers attacking Palestinian communities.
As Israel continues its military activities, the impact on press freedom remains a key concern for journalists working in the region.
MAYNILA. Nagdesisyon ang Korte Suprema na hindi na kailangan ng judicial proceedings sa ibang bansa para kilalanin sa Pilipinas ang mga foreign divorce decrees.
Sa desisyong isinulat ni Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, idiniin ng Supreme Court En Banc na ang mga diborsyo na nakuha sa ibang bansa—kahit ito ay sa legal na proseso, administratibong pamamaraan, o sa pamamagitan ng mutual agreement—ay maaaring kilalanin ng mga korte sa Pilipinas.
Isang makasaysayang kaso ang nagbigay daan sa bagong patakaran. Ang Filipino citizen na si Ruby Cuevas Ng ay ikinasal sa Japanese national na si Akihiro Sono noong 2004 sa Quezon City. Pagkaraan ng ilang taon, lumipat ang mag-asawa sa Japan, ngunit nasira ang kanilang relasyon. Nakakuha sila ng “divorce decree by mutual agreement” sa Japan, na kinumpirma ng isang Divorce Certificate mula sa Embassy of Japan sa Pilipinas.
Nagpetisyon si Ng sa Regional Trial Court (RTC) upang kilalanin ang diborsyo at idineklarang maaari na siyang magpakasal muli. Pinagbigyan ng RTC ang kanyang petisyon. Subalit hinamon ng Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) ang desisyon ng RTC sa Korte Suprema, iginiit na ang Pilipinas ay dapat lamang kumilala sa mga foreign divorce decrees na inilabas ng korte at hindi sa mga diborsyo na nagmula lamang sa kasunduan.
Gayunpaman, sa huli ay pumanig ang Korte Suprema kay Ng. Ayon sa Artikulo 26, talata 2 ng Family Code, pinapayagan ang judicial recognition ng diborsyo para sa mga Pilipinong may asawang dayuhan, kahit ano pa ang uri ng diborsyo—administratibo man o hudikatura.
Idiniin pa ng Korte Suprema na ang pinakamahalagang aspeto ay ang diborsyo ay legal na kinikilala sa ilalim ng batas ng dayuhang asawa. Kapag ito ay may bisa sa bansa ng dayuhan, ito ay kikilalanin din sa Pilipinas upang ang asawang Pilipino ay mabigyan ng karapatan na muling magpakasal.
Ang desisyon na ito ay nagbibigay linaw at pag-asa sa maraming Pilipinong nasa parehong sitwasyon, na maaaring magkaroon ng bagong simula matapos ang diborsyo sa ibang bansa.
GAZA CITY, CAIRO. An Israeli airstrike killed at least 22 civilians, including women and children, in a school sheltering displaced families in southern Gaza City on Saturday. The Gaza health ministry confirmed that the victims included 13 children and six women. The Israeli military, however, stated that the attack targeted a Hamas command center embedded within the compound, which had previously served as a school.
Eyewitness Said Al-Malahi described the scene: “The women and their children were sitting in the playground of the school, the kids were playing, and suddenly two rockets hit them.”
Footage captured by Reuters showed the destruction left behind—shattered walls, burnt furniture, and debris scattered across the site. As the community struggled to cope with the aftermath, families wrapped the deceased in blankets, with some carried away on donkey carts. Ambulances were seen transferring other bodies.
Another eyewitness, Ahmed Azzam, expressed his anger and frustration over the lack of regional intervention: “I couldn’t take it, I did not see a single man that is injured, it was all women and children. Let the Arab countries rejoice, let them rejoice and clap for Netanyahu and the United States of America.”
In response to the strike, the Israeli military reiterated its claim that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, to hide military operations. Hamas has consistently denied this accusation.
This incident comes amid heightened violence since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing around 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million people in the enclave.
Negotiations remain ongoing between Israel and Hamas, with key sticking points including Israel’s demand to maintain control of the southern border between Rafah and Egypt, and a potential exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. However, the Israeli government maintains that the conflict will only end with the complete eradication of Hamas, while the militant group seeks a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
CHONBURI, Thailand. In just two months, Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has captured hearts worldwide, becoming an internet sensation. With her expressive face and pink cheeks, the little hippo has become a viral star, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond, eager to glimpse her in person.
On Thursday, cars lined up outside the zoo long before opening hours, as fans gathered to see Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, in their enclosure. The zoo, located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Bangkok, has experienced a dramatic rise in visitors since Moo Deng’s debut. The pit where she lives was quickly packed with onlookers cooing as the playful two-month-old made her skittish movements.
Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee, who has worked at the zoo for eight years, has been sharing cute videos of the animals under his care for five years, but he never imagined that the newborn pygmy hippo would become an internet megastar within weeks. “It was beyond expectation,” Atthapon told The Associated Press. “I wanted people to know her and visit her, but I never thought it would turn into this.”
A Viral Sensation
Moo Deng’s fame exploded after videos of her, shared on social media, went viral. Zookeeper Atthapon’s clips captured Moo Deng’s charming antics, including her love for “deng”—the Thai word for bouncing. Whether she’s bouncing around, squirming while being washed, or peacefully resting as her cheeks are rubbed, Moo Deng has become a symbol of cuteness for fans around the globe.
Fans unable to visit the zoo in person can enjoy countless memes and videos online. Moo Deng has even inspired cartoons, cakes, and latte art. Social media accounts of major sports teams like FC Bayern, the Phoenix Suns, and the Washington Commanders have also featured her image in humorous and heartwarming posts. Thai beauty brand Sephora jumped on the trend, giving makeup advice to “wear your blush like a baby hippo,” referencing Moo Deng’s signature pink cheeks.
Businesses have also capitalized on her cuteness. The food delivery app Grab Thailand created imaginative posts featuring Moo Deng as a potential meal garnish. With her sudden global fame, the zoo is taking steps to copyright and trademark “Moo Deng the Hippo” to ensure the animal is not commercialized without authorization.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi explained, “After we secure the rights, we can generate more income to support animal welfare and conservation efforts.” The zoo has also launched a line of Moo Deng merchandise, including shirts and pants, to be available by the end of the month.
A Surge in Visitors
The spike in visitors to Khao Kheow Open Zoo has been unprecedented. The zoo now limits access to Moo Deng’s enclosure during weekends to five-minute windows, as crowds have grown overwhelming. On weekdays, attendance has surged from around 800 to over 4,000 visitors, while weekends now draw more than 10,000 visitors.
Unfortunately, Moo Deng’s fame has also attracted some unruly visitors. Videos circulated online of people throwing objects or splashing water at the baby hippo in an attempt to wake her. In response, the zoo has posted warnings in Thai, English, and Chinese, cautioning visitors against disturbing her. Zoo officials have threatened legal action under Thailand’s animal protection laws against anyone caught mistreating the animal.
Despite these issues, Moo Deng’s global fanbase continues to grow. For those who can’t make the journey, the zoo plans to launch a 24-hour live stream of Moo Deng’s enclosure in the coming weeks, ensuring that fans worldwide can keep up with the adorable hippo’s daily life.
As Moo Deng continues to delight visitors both online and in person, she also serves as an ambassador for her species. Native to West Africa, the pygmy hippopotamus is an endangered species, with only around 2,000 to 3,000 remaining in the wild. Khao Kheow Open Zoo is part of a global effort to breed and protect endangered species like Moo Deng, ensuring that future generations can enjoy their charm and beauty.
Moo Deng’s story is more than just a viral sensation—it’s a reminder of the importance of conservation and the joy that animals bring into our lives.
Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
LONDON. Lawyers representing 37 women who have accused the late billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed of sexual assault described him as a “monster” whose alleged crimes were “enabled” by the prestigious Harrods department store. The allegations, which have surfaced since Al Fayed died in 2023 at the age of 94, have ignited a scandal that now implicates the iconic store he once owned.
In a press briefing in London on Friday, barrister Dean Armstrong, who represents the women, stated that Al Fayed engaged in a “vast web of abuse.” According to Armstrong, the former Harrods owner’s behavior was facilitated by the very institution he ran. “This is and was a systematic failure of corporate responsibility,” Armstrong said. “And that failure lies squarely on the shoulders of Harrods.”
The legal claim, which has been brought against Harrods, accuses the department store of knowing about Al Fayed’s alleged actions and failing to act. “This is a case of an abject failure to provide a safe system of work for employees,” Armstrong added, implying that the store’s management turned a blind eye to the misconduct.
The allegations against Al Fayed, which include “serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and the abuse of minors,” echo other high-profile cases of abuse involving prominent figures. Armstrong and his legal team compared the case to that of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, and Jimmy Savile, a British television personality revealed posthumously to have been a prolific sexual offender.
A Culture of Silence
Bruce Drummond, another barrister involved in the case, described it as “one of the worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation that certainly I, and perhaps the world, has ever seen.” He criticized the culture of silence that surrounded Al Fayed during his time as the owner of Harrods, suggesting that the power and prestige of the store shielded him from accountability.
The allegations stem from incidents that allegedly occurred while Al Fayed owned Harrods, which he sold in 2010, as well as during his ownership of Fulham Football Club from 1997 to 2013. Following the release of a BBC documentary detailing the accusations, Fulham Football Club expressed its concern, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following yesterday’s documentary. We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences.”
The club also confirmed it is investigating whether anyone associated with Fulham had been affected by the alleged abuse during Al Fayed’s ownership.
A High-Profile Life Shrouded in Controversy
Mohamed Al Fayed, originally from Egypt, was a larger-than-life figure in Britain’s business and social scenes. His ownership of Harrods, one of the world’s most iconic department stores, brought him immense wealth and notoriety. However, his life was marked by controversy, including his involvement in the tragic death of his son, Dodi Fayed, who died alongside Princess Diana in a high-speed car crash in Paris in 1997.
While Al Fayed’s public life was well-documented, the revelations about his alleged private misconduct have shocked many. The accusations suggest that Al Fayed used his power and influence to prey on vulnerable women, taking advantage of the protection afforded to him by his status.
The legal team now pushing for justice on behalf of his alleged victims is demanding accountability from Harrods, where many of the incidents are said to have occurred. “Harrods must take responsibility for the system that enabled Al Fayed’s monstrous behavior,” Armstrong said, adding that the victims deserve compensation and recognition for the trauma they endured.
As the investigation continues, both Fulham Football Club and Harrods have stated they are cooperating with authorities. Harrods, under new ownership since 2010, has yet to release a formal statement addressing the specific allegations against Al Fayed.
This case adds to the growing list of high-profile sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the business and entertainment worlds, sparking renewed calls for better protections for employees and harsher penalties for those who enable such behavior.
JERUSALEM. Hezbollah unleashed a barrage of 140 rockets on northern Israel on Friday, intensifying cross-border hostilities that have escalated since the Israel-Hamas war began. The assault came just a day after Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed to retaliate for what the group described as a mass bombing attack by Israel.
According to Israel’s military, the rockets were fired in three waves, targeting areas along the heavily bombarded border with Lebanon. In response, Israel launched retaliatory strikes on southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah’s infrastructure, although no specific details of the damage were disclosed.
Hezbollah confirmed that its attacks had hit multiple locations along the border, including air defense bases and, for the first time, the headquarters of an Israeli armored brigade. These attacks were carried out using Katyusha rockets.
The Israeli military reported that 120 missiles were launched at areas in the Golan Heights, Safed, and Upper Galilee, some of which were intercepted. Fire crews worked to control fires caused by debris in various regions. The military did not specify if any missiles hit their targets or caused casualties.
Additionally, 20 more missiles were fired at Meron and Netua, with most landing in open areas, and no injuries were reported.
Hezbollah stated that the rocket barrage was in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanese villages and homes. These airstrikes followed a devastating two-day attack that triggered explosions in thousands of Hezbollah communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies.
While Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire since October 8, the intensity of Friday’s attacks marked a significant escalation. Nasrallah, in a speech on Thursday, pledged to continue the strikes against Israel despite the destruction of the group’s communication devices, which he called a “severe blow.”
The sophisticated sabotage attacks on Hezbollah devices have raised concerns that the ongoing cross-border hostilities could spiral into full-scale war. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in these attacks.
In recent days, Israel has deployed additional military forces to its northern border, with officials escalating their rhetoric. The country’s security Cabinet has declared the return of displaced residents to their homes in northern Israel as a critical objective.
While the fighting in Gaza has slowed, casualties there continue to mount. Overnight, Palestinian authorities reported 15 deaths in multiple Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including six members of a family in Gaza City. Another airstrike killed one person on a street in Gaza City.
Israel maintains that it targets only militants and accuses Hamas of putting civilians at risk by operating in residential areas. The Israeli military, which typically refrains from commenting on individual strikes, had no immediate response.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas’ initial attack on October 7, with over half of the casualties being women and children. The ministry’s statistics do not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 militants, though it has not provided supporting evidence.
More than 95,000 people have been wounded in Gaza since the war began, and the devastation has forced about 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, further compounding the region’s humanitarian crisis.
BEIRUT. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has vowed continued strikes on Israel despite the recent sabotage of the group’s communication devices, which he described as a “severe blow” during a speech on Thursday. Speaking for the first time since the attacks on thousands of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies, Nasrallah warned that displaced Israelis from border towns would not be able to return to their homes until the war in Gaza ends.
In the last two days, near-daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have intensified, raising concerns about the conflict escalating into a full-scale war. Israel has not confirmed nor denied responsibility for the bombings, but the coordinated attacks have been widely attributed to Israeli forces. According to Lebanese health officials, the device bombings killed 37 people and wounded over 3,000 others, including civilians.
“Yes, we were subjected to a huge and severe blow,” Nasrallah stated, while accusing Israel of intending to cause mass casualties. “The enemy crossed all boundaries and red lines. The enemy will face a severe and fair punishment from where they expect and don’t expect,” he added.
Nasrallah made it clear that Hezbollah would continue its strikes on northern Israel, tying the group’s actions directly to the ongoing war in Gaza. “The only way is to stop the aggression on the people of Gaza and the West Bank,” he said, while rejecting any attempts by Israel to resolve the situation through military means. “Neither strikes, nor assassinations nor an all-out war will achieve that,” he warned.
Thursday saw Hezbollah targeting three Israeli military positions near the border with drones, as Israel responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have escalated warnings in recent days, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasizing that Hezbollah would “pay an increasing price” for the ongoing hostilities.
“The sequence of our military actions will continue,” Gallant stated, reinforcing Israel’s goal of securing the region to allow displaced Israelis to return to their homes.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced the deaths of five of its fighters on Thursday, though it remains unclear whether they were killed in the explosions or during front-line clashes. The conflict has already claimed hundreds of lives in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, displacing tens of thousands on both sides.
As the war continues, Lebanon grapples with the aftermath of the bombings, which have left the country’s population on edge. Civilians across Beirut and southern Lebanon were struck by explosions in homes, cars, and public spaces, with widespread injuries and destruction. Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad condemned the attacks as indiscriminate, calling them “a war crime” while praising the resilience of Lebanon’s healthcare system in dealing with the flood of casualties.
As both sides prepare for further conflict, the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border remains tense, with no signs of a ceasefire on the horizon.
MAYNILA. Nagpiyansa si dating Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo noong Biyernes, Setyembre 20, kaugnay ng kanyang mga kasong graft. Sa kabila ng piyansa, mananatili siyang nakakulong dahil sa iba pang kaso at contempt orders mula sa Senado at Kamara.
Si Guo, na kasalukuyang naka-detain sa PNP Custodial Center sa Camp Crame, ay nagbayad ng P540,000 na piyansa sa Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 282 para sa mga kasong paglabag sa Section 3(e) at 3(h) ng Republic Act 3019 o Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Ang mga kasong ito ay nag-ugat mula sa reklamong inihain ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) na may kaugnayan sa raid sa isang Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) sa Bamban.
Nakaiskedyul sana ang arraignment ni Guo noong Biyernes ngunit ipinagpaliban ito matapos maghain ng motion to quash information ang kanyang kampo. May hanggang Setyembre 25 ang mga partido para magsumite ng kanilang komento sa nasabing mosyon.
Ayon sa prosekusyon, ang piyansa ni Guo ay itinaas ng triple at ito ay inaprubahan ng Valenzuela court. Ipinunto rin ng hukuman ang kapasidad ni Guo na magbayad ng malaking halaga ng piyansa, base sa kanyang mga biyahe palabas ng bansa.
“Tanggap na niya ang sitwasyon, nag-sink na sa kanya ang mga pangyayari. As I have said, you just have to leave it to the Lord because he has a better purpose for all that is happening right now,” sabi ni Atty. Stephen David, abogado ni Guo.
Matapos makapagpiyansa, muling inaresto si Guo dahil sa mga kasong kinakaharap naman niya sa Pasig RTC. Mula sa Valenzuela RTC, dinala siya sa Camp Crame para sa medical examination.
Inutos din ng Pasig RTC Branch 167 ang paglilipat kay Guo mula sa PNP Custodial Center patungo sa Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory kaugnay ng kanyang kasong qualified trafficking, na isang non-bailable offense. Sa oras na mailipat si Guo sa naturang pasilidad, makakasama niya ang mahigit 40 iba pang mga preso, kabilang ang tatlong kasamahan ni Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.
Samantala, tiniyak ng Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) na walang VIP treatment na ibibigay kay Guo.
Bukod sa mga kasong graft, sinampahan na rin si Guo ng 87 counts ng money laundering sa Department of Justice. Isang quo warranto petition ang inihain laban sa kanya, pati na rin ang petisyon na kanselahin ang kanyang birth certificate sa korte sa Tarlac.
BEIRUT. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed a targeted missile strike on Beirut on Friday, resulting in the death of Ibrahim Aqil, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah’s Jihad Council. Aqil, a key figure in Hezbollah’s military operations, was linked to the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marines barracks in Lebanon, a notorious attack that left 241 American service members dead.
The Israeli government took to social media shortly after the strike to announce Aqil’s death. “Today, Israel eliminated [Aqil] with a surgical airstrike in Beirut,” a statement read. “Justice is served.”
Israeli officials later released a more detailed statement: “IAF aircraft conducted a targeted, intelligence-based strike in the area of Beirut, and eliminated Ibrahim Aqil, the Head of Hezbollah’s Operations Unit and the Commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Forces, who was also in charge of Hezbollah’s ‘Conquer the Galilee’ attack plan.”
Aqil’s elimination marks a significant development in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed that Aqil had been inside a building in Beirut’s Dahiya district when the missile hit. The strike flattened two apartment buildings, killing at least nine people and injuring around 60 others, according to Lebanese health officials.
“Our targets are clear and our actions speak for themselves,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to the successful operation.
Israeli authorities emphasized the significance of Aqil’s death, stating that senior operatives in Hezbollah’s Operations Staff and commanders from the Radwan Unit were also killed in the attack. “Ibrahim Aqil and the Radwan commanders who were eliminated today were planning Hezbollah’s ‘Conquer the Galilee’ attack plan, in which Hezbollah intended to infiltrate Israeli communities and murder innocent civilians,” the statement read.
The strike comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel ramping up its military operations in Lebanon. Just a day before the strike, IDF forces targeted infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon, including Chihine, Tayibe, Blida, Meiss El Jabal, Aitaroun, and Kfarkela.
In a separate operation earlier in the week, Israeli security forces remotely detonated hundreds of electronic devices used by Hezbollah for communication, reportedly killing 12 militants and injuring more than 2,800 others.
The killing of Aqil, who had long been on the U.S. radar for his role in the 1983 Marines barracks bombing, marks a critical victory for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The operation highlights Israel’s determination to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and prevent future attacks on Israeli soil.
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