The attack also killed several members of the Hezbollah Operations Staff and commanders from Radwan Unit.
Sharing the details of the attack, the IDF stated that Aqil and other commanders planned a significant attack on Israel, which they called âConquest of Galileeâdistrict plan
How Israel captured Hezbollah Commander Ibrahim Aqil
According to the IDF, this plan involved infiltrating Israeli communities and targeting civilians. âI can now confirm that Ibrahim Aqil was eliminated along with other senior terrorists in the Radwan Hezbollah forces. Ibrahim Aqil has the blood of many innocent people on his hands. Israeli, American, French, Lebanese and others,â said IDF spokesman, RAdm . Daniel Hagari, a few hours after the strike.
The IDF says its mission is to eliminate the threat posed by Hezbollah.
âHezbollah is an internationally recognized terrorist organization. It is a threat to the people of Israel, the people of Lebanon, the Middle East and the whole world. Since October 8, Hezbollah has launched 8000 rockets, missiles and UAVs that have exploded on Israeli civilians. forcing more than 60,000 Israelis fled their homes today, Hezbollah fired more than 200 rockets into Israel.
Indicating that Radwanâs forces were planning âto do in northern Israel what Hamas did in southern Israel on October 7, attacking Israeli homes and killing innocent people,â the IDF spokesman further spoke about the criminal past of the slain commander.
He said, âDuring the 1980s, Aqil was a key member of the Islamic Jihad Organization, the Hezbollah terror cell that claimed responsibility for the April 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut that killed 63 and the October 1983 bombing of a US naval barracks that killed 241. US personnel Ibrahim Akil also directed the kidnapping of Americans and Germans in Lebanon.
The IDF indicated that Aqil and commander Radwan were planning more attacks with the help of Hezbollahâs âGalilee invasion planâ when he was targeted. âAt the time of the attack, Aqil and the commander of Radwanâs forces gathered on the ground under a residential building in the heart of Dakha in Beirut hiding among Lebanese civilians, used as human shields. terror attack on Israeli civilians,â said Hagari adding that Israelâs focus on â protect the Israeli peopleâ and to bring âhostages home and ensure the permanent defeat of Hamas in Gazaâ.
Hezbollah warned Israel
âYou Will Sufferâ: Hezbollah Warns Israel After Ibrahim Aqil Kills; Hamas âTo Joinâ Mission of Revenge
Hezbollah expressed outrage after Commander Ibrahim Aqil and at least ten other fighters were killed in an airstrike The organization issued a statement condemning Israel for the action, calling it a âserious mistakeâ that will face consequences. The statement described Aqil as a âgreat leaderâ and pledged to remain on the mission until âfinal victoryâ is achieved.
Support from Hamas
Hamas announced its support for Hezbollah, offering to participate in a revenge mission against Israel. Saddened by Aqilâs death, the Palestinian terror group condemned the act, calling it a âcrimeâ and âstupidityâ for which Israel would âpayâ.
Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have risen sharply, with deadly attacks on both sides. Israel kills Hezbollah commander in Beirut, as Hezbollah launches rocket attack into northern Israel. The situation threatens to escalate into a larger war, possibly devastating the region. Both sides are strengthening their positions, but no official decision has yet been made on the wider conflict.
Lebanon was invaded by fences and walkie-talkies
Lebanon has been rocked by a series of coordinated explosions over the past two days, with fences and two-way radios used by Hezbollah militants blowing up in homes, offices and even during funerals. This seemingly ordinary communication device turned into a deadly weapon, killing at least 30 people and injuring thousands more.
The attack is believed to be part of Israelâs secret war against Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into northern Israel for nearly a year. The precision and scale of the explosion revealed meticulous planning by one of the Israeli intelligence agenciesâ most complex operations â Mossad.
Exchange of fire between Israel-Hezbollah
Israeli Military Base, Intel HQ Under Attack; 200+ Israelâs Northern Rocking Missiles | Watch
The IDF also reported ongoing strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, with the aim of reducing terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. The new focus on the operation reflects a shift in Israelâs strategy for securing the northern region. Israel launched a targeted attack on a Hezbollah stronghold on Friday, located south of Beirut, killing at least eight people and wounding 17. Residents in the southern suburbs reported hearing a powerful explosion, followed by a plume of smoke rising over the Lebanese capital.
The strike was aimed at a specific location known to be a stronghold of the Hezbollah militant group.
Meanwhile, in previous attacks, Hezbollah had launched a series of rocket attacks targeting various locations along the Israel-Lebanon border. The Israeli military reported that the rockets were fired in three separate waves, with a total of 140 rockets fired.
According to the Israeli military, 120 missiles hit areas in the Golan Heights, Safed, and the Upper Galilee, and some were intercepted. Fire crews were dispatched to put out the fire caused by falling debris at various locations. The military did not report any casualties or successful missile strikes on targets. An additional 20 missiles were fired in the Meron and Netua areas, with most landing in open areas and no injuries reported.