Israel has successfully carried out a targeted strike in Beirut, eliminating Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah leader who played a role in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marines barracks in Lebanon. The airstrike, conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday, targeted Aqil and other high-ranking Hezbollah operatives in an underground location in southern Beirut.
Ibrahim Aqil, 61, had been a prominent figure in Hezbollah since the 1980s and led the terrorist group’s Operations Unit. He was also the commander of the elite Radwan Forces, which were responsible for planning attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
According to the IDF, Aqil and other commanders were planning to execute Hezbollah’s “Conquer the Galilee” operation, which aimed to infiltrate northern Israeli communities and kill civilians. Aqil was also involved in various terrorist activities, including the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in 1983 and numerous attacks targeting Israeli forces.
The U.S. had placed a $7 million bounty on Aqil due to his involvement in the barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. personnel. Israeli officials confirmed that Aqil’s death is a significant blow to Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, explained that Aqil and his fellow commanders were using civilians as human shields by operating in a residential area. The IDF emphasized its commitment to protecting Israeli citizens by targeting Hezbollah’s leadership while minimizing harm to civilians.
Israel’s defense forces remain on high alert, continuing operations on multiple fronts to protect its citizens from terrorist threats.
