Hezbollah Confirms The Name Of The Second Slain Commander

Hezbollah has confirmed that a second high-ranking commander was among the 16 fighters killed in an Israeli air strike on its base in Beirut. This attack also killed at least 31 people, including three children and seven women, making it a serious blow to Hezbollah’s leadership.

The air strike hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah is strong. One of the key figures killed was Ibrahim Aqil, the leader of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. This operation raises concerns about Hezbollah’s safety and security, especially after recent attacks on their communication devices that killed 37 people.

Hezbollah also confirmed the death of Ahmed Mahmud Wahbi, who had been leading operations against Israel since the Gaza conflict began in October. Losing these important leaders is likely to hurt the group’s strength and morale.

Aqil was already known to many, including the United States, which wanted him for his role in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut that killed 63 people, including 17 Americans. Hezbollah called him “one of its great leaders,” showing how significant this loss is for them.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene with a large crater where the attack occurred, and part of a high-rise building was destroyed. This is the second Israeli strike against Hezbollah leaders since the Gaza conflict escalated, following a July attack that killed another commander, Fuad Shukr.

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The United Nations expressed deep concern over the increasing violence, urging all sides to show “maximum restraint.” The fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified since Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, resulting in hundreds of deaths in Lebanon, mainly among fighters, and several Israeli casualties.

Statements From Israeli Government Following Attack On Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that enemies of Israel would find no safe place, even in Beirut. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed that the strike was not meant to start a larger conflict. However, Hamas condemned the attack as “brutal aggression,” warning it could lead to more violence.

Iran’s foreign ministry accused Israel of trying to expand the war. For months, there have been daily exchanges of fire, causing deaths on both sides and forcing thousands to leave their homes.

The air strike came after an incident where Hezbollah’s communication devices exploded, killing 37 people and injuring many others. These explosions occurred in public places, like supermarkets and during funerals, spreading fear throughout Lebanon. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised retaliation against Israel.

Before this strike, Israel reported that Hezbollah had fired rockets into its territory after Israeli attacks destroyed many of its missile launchers. Gallant warned that “Hezbollah will pay an heavy price” as Israel tries to protect its citizens.

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On the other hand, in the light of these ongoing events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed his trip to the United States to address the United Nations, showing how serious the situation is. The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, criticised the attacks on Hezbollah’s communication systems, stating they might break international law.

As the conflict continues, international mediators, including those from the United States, are working to prevent the fighting in Gaza from spreading into a larger regional war. The initial Hamas attacks on October 7 resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, while Israel’s military response has led to at least 41,272 deaths in Gaza, many of whom were also civilians.

This ongoing violence highlights the complex and dangerous situation in the region, where each attack can lead to more conflict. As both Hezbollah and Israeli forces prepare for possible retaliation, the threat of a wider war looms over everyone.