The Fact News Service
New Delhi, September 21
In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel announced the killing of Ibrahim Aqil, commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, in a precision airstrike in Beirut. This operation targeted a meeting of senior commanders, resulting in at least 14 deaths, including ten high-ranking Hezbollah officials.
Aqil was a notorious figure, linked to the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut, for which the U.S. had placed a $7 million bounty on his head. His death is viewed as a major setback for Hezbollah, particularly following the recent death of another senior commander, Fuad Shukr. Both leaders were instrumental in planning military operations against Israel, intensifying the threat to Israeli security.
The airstrike inflicted severe damage on Hezbollah’s stronghold, creating a massive crater and destroying a high-rise building. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli military positions, escalating the ongoing conflict. The exchange of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border has become almost daily since the outbreak of the Gaza war, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.
Internationally, the response has been mixed. The United Nations has urged restraint from all parties, while Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah, condemned the strike as a violation of international law and vowed retribution. Israel defended the airstrike as a necessary action for national security, stating that it did not seek to broaden the conflict, despite the evident risks of escalation.
As the death toll from the airstrike continues to rise, with local reports suggesting significant casualties, the situation remains precarious. The conflict’s ripple effects are likely to influence regional dynamics and international responses, raising concerns about a broader confrontation in an already unstable region.
