The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) announced that Ibrahim Aqil, the head of Hezbollah’s operations group, was killed in an airstrike. They also stated that 10 members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, who were planning an operation akin to the events of “October 7th” in northern Israel, were also killed.
In their official statement, the IDF said:
“Under the direction of the Intelligence Directorate, Israeli Air Force jets targeted the Beirut area, killing Ibrahim Aqil, head of Hezbollah’s operations group, and commander of Radwan. Along with Aqil, the leaders of the ‘Galilee Conquest Plan,’ who were key figures in Radwan’s hierarchy, were neutralized.
Aqil and the commanders eliminated were among the architects of the ‘Galilee Conquest Plan,’ a strategy by Hezbollah to invade Israeli territory and murder civilians, a crime similar to the Hamas terrorist massacre on October 7th.
Aqil began his involvement with Hezbollah in the 1980s within the Islamic Jihad mechanism, responsible for Hezbollah’s attacks outside of Lebanon, and participated in many attacks in various countries targeting innocent international organizations and civilians. Since 2004, he served as the head of Hezbollah’s operations, overseeing sabotage attacks, anti-tank fire, explosives, air defense, and other military aspects.”
Israeli F-35 planes fired several missiles at a building where high-ranking Palestinian and Hezbollah terrorists were meeting. Reportedly at least 15 were killed, amongst them Hezbollah's number 2, Ibrahim Aqil.
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) September 20, 2024
They decided to meet as pagers were dangerous. Exactly as Israel… pic.twitter.com/x9nv2LJfIJ
News agencies such as Agence France-Presse, Sky News, and Reuters report that Aqil died in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) strike, although Hezbollah has not officially confirmed this. Reuters also noted that other members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit were killed in the same attack.
Israeli media earlier confirmed that Aqil, also known as Tahsin and considered the “number 2” in Hezbollah’s military operations after Fuad Shukr (who was killed weeks ago in another Israeli strike), was a key target due to his role as head of Hezbollah’s Operational Directorate.
German news agency dpa reported that Aqil had been released from a Beirut hospital earlier that morning, having been injured in recent Hezbollah radio bombings.
Aqil was a crucial figure within Hezbollah and participated in its highest military authority, the “Jihad Council.” He played a significant role in numerous terrorist attacks and has been wanted by the United States for his involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, which killed 63 people. He was also linked to the kidnapping of American and German citizens in Lebanon during the 1980s, events that placed him high on international terrorist watch lists.
In 2019, the U.S. State Department designated Aqil as a “Global Terrorist” and offered a $7 million reward for information leading to his capture.
The U.S. accuses Aqil of participating in various terrorist plots during the 1980s and 1990s, including the April 1983 attack on the U.S. embassy in Beirut.
This recent strike in Beirut is part of an ongoing series of Israeli air raids aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s military capabilities and eliminating its leadership. The escalating violence and retaliatory attacks between the two sides have increased tensions in the region, sparking concerns from the international community about the potential for a broader conflict.
