The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that a targeted airstrike in Beirut killed senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil, along with approximately 10 other senior leaders of the group’s elite Radwan unit. The airstrike hit a building in the Al-Qaim complex in Beirut, delivering a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement that Aqil, who had overseen Hezbollah’s operations since 2004, was a key architect behind the group’s “Galilee storming plan.” The plan was allegedly aimed at infiltrating and attacking towns in northern Israel, in a manner similar to Hamas’ assault on October 7.
The death of Aqil, who had been with Hezbollah since the 1980s, marks a substantial setback for the group’s military operations. His elimination is viewed as a critical move in Israel’s ongoing efforts to degrade Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, although the IDF has stated it is not seeking a broader regional escalation. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have heightened in recent weeks, with both sides engaging in retaliatory strikes.