The military commander of Hezbollah in Lebanon dies in a targeted attack by Israel. The signs in the conflict point to a storm.
The Israeli military says it has killed Hezbollah military commander Ibrahim Akil in a targeted attack in the Lebanese capital Beirut. According to Lebanese security sources, Israeli fighter jets had previously flown one of the heaviest waves of attacks since the mutual shelling began in October last year. At the same time, the Israeli army registered 200 missiles fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.
Ibrahim Akil is dead, Israel’s army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced. Hezbollah did not initially comment on the matter. Akil is one of the founding members of Hezbollah and was active in the military wing of the Shiite organization. According to media reports, he was the military commander of Hezbollah and thus the successor to Fuad Shukr, who was also killed by Israel on August 30. The USA had put a bounty of seven million dollars (around 6.27 million euros) on Akil’s head. According to the Israeli army, around ten commanders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force were also killed in the air strike.
According to official Lebanese reports, at least twelve people were killed in the attack in the densely populated suburb of the capital. At least 66 others were injured. Videos on social media showed devastating scenes in the southern suburb of Beirut, with damaged house facades and destroyed cars. The area is considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
Israel’s Defense Minister: will continue to defend us
After the attack on Hezbollah members in Beirut, Israel’s Defense Minister Joav Galant announced that Israel would continue to defend itself against its enemies – including in the southern suburb of Beirut. “The series of operations in the new phase of the war will continue until we have achieved our goal: the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes,” he said, according to his office.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Our goals are clear and our actions speak for themselves.”
Concern about widespread war and conflagration is growing
The almost daily mutual shelling between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia has developed into a low-level war. According to official figures, around 600 people have already been killed in Lebanon, most of them Hezbollah members. According to the Israeli army, 52 people have died, including 26 civilians.
Despite global calls for restraint, Israel and Hezbollah continue to attack each other, raising concerns that the fighting could escalate into a full-scale war and a regional conflagration.
Nevertheless, the US government believes it is possible to avert a war between the two sides. “We still believe there is time and space for a diplomatic solution, and we believe this is the best way forward,” said National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby. A war on the border between Israel and Lebanon is “not inevitable, and we will continue to do everything we can to prevent it.”
Israel and Hezbollah continue shelling
Before the suspected air strike on Hezbollah commander Akil, fighter jets had bombed around 100 rocket launchers belonging to the pro-Iranian militia, the Israeli military said. Lebanese security circles spoke of one of the heaviest waves of attacks since the mutual shelling began in October last year.
According to Israeli military reports, numerous rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. The army reported that around 200 missiles were fired. According to Israeli media, fires broke out as a result of the shelling. There were no reports of injuries. Residents in numerous places in northern Israel are being asked to stay close to shelters.
Concern about Israeli ground offensive grows
Israel has been trying to weaken the Hezbollah militia for weeks. This includes targeted attacks on leadership personnel, infrastructure, rocket launchers and warehouses. With diplomatic and increasing military pressure, Israel wants to get Hezbollah to withdraw from the border area, as required by a UN resolution. As soon as the region near the border is safe again, 60,000 Israeli refugees are to return to their homes.
Hezbollah: Bombardment of Israel until the end of the Gaza war
Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah announced in a nationally broadcast speech on Thursday that he would continue to shell northern Israel. Israel can only allow people to return to safety in the north if the war in the Gaza Strip is stopped. Hezbollah says it is acting in solidarity with the Islamist Hamas in the coastal region. Both groups are supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose leadership views Israel as its arch enemy.
At the same time, Nasrallah accused Israel of being responsible for the explosions of pagers and handheld radios. The Hezbollah leader spoke of a declaration of war and threatened retaliation. According to authorities, at least 37 people were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday in the explosions of the manipulated devices. Around 3,000 others were injured. Israel has not yet publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Report: No agreement in sight in Gaza negotiations
Because Hezbollah links its attacks on Israel to the Gaza war, international mediators are trying to reach a ceasefire. However, the negotiations, in which the US, Egypt and Qatar are mediating between Israel and Hamas, have been going in circles for months.
Senior US officials have now admitted in private conversations that they no longer expect an agreement between Israel and Hamas during US President Joe Biden’s term in office, which ends in January, the Wall Street Journal reported. “An agreement is not imminent,” said one of the US officials. “I’m not sure it will ever happen.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
