Top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil killed in Israeli strike on Beirut

Ibrahim Aqil, a top Hezbollah operations commander, was killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken responsibility for the strike, confirming the deaths of several senior commanders within Hezbollah’s ranks.

Aqil, who played a crucial role in Hezbollah’s military operations, was among those targeted.

“The IDF will continue to act to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities, strike at it, and operate on all fronts to protect the citizens of Israel,” the IDF said in an official statement.

The strike, which hit Beirut’s densely populated southern suburbs, left nine people dead and 59 others wounded, according to preliminary figures released by Lebanon’s health ministry. Medical teams continue to assess the damage and provide care to the injured.

Earlier in the day, Israel confirmed it had conducted a “targeted” operation in Beirut, part of its broader campaign against Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating in recent weeks, with both sides trading accusations and cross-border fire.