In an IDF strike today (Friday) in a neighborhood in Beirut, Ibrahim Aqil, head of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and number two in the organization, was killed. According to reports, there was a meeting inside the building that was attacked between senior Palestinian and Hezbollah officials when the building was hit by four missiles. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports 10 dead and dozens wounded in the attack.
Aqil is the de facto Chief of Staff of Hezbollah. He is an experienced commander with extensive operational experience and serves as a close confidant of Nasrallah. The Americans had previously placed a $7 million bounty on him.
At the same time, Hezbollah Iraq confirms: Abu Khidr al-Khafaji, a senior figure in the organization, was killed in a strike this morning in Damascus.
An IDF spokesperson stated: “The IDF conducted a targeted strike in Beirut. At this stage, there is no change in the Home Front Command instructions. If there are changes, we will update. Further details to follow.”
At this time, red alert sirens are being heard across northern Israel, likely due to rocket fire from Hezbollah in response to the elimination.
As a result of the assassination, the only significant figure left in Hezbollah’s Jihad Council after Aqil’s apparent assassination is Ali Karaki, the commander of the organization’s southern front.
