Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli strike in Beirut

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Ibrahim Aqil, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan special forces unit, has been killed in a targeted strike in Beirut, Lebanon, confirmed by the Israeli military. Aqil had a long history of involvement in significant attacks, including the bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine Corps barracks in Beirut in 1983, which resulted in numerous casualties. The U.S. State Department had placed a $7 million reward for information leading to his capture and designated him a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” in 2019.

The strike, which also resulted in at least eight deaths and over 50 injuries, follows a series of aggressive exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel. Recent reports indicate that Israel has engaged in operations to disrupt Hezbollah's communications. In a response to this violence, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a shift in military focus towards the northern region, although specifics were not disclosed.

Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah condemned the Israeli operations, calling them acts of war. Meanwhile, U.S. officials reiterated support for Israel's self-defense but ruled out deploying American troops for any ground operations in Lebanon.

The escalation has raised concerns about a broader conflict, as both nations prepare for potential further confrontations amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.