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.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
