Israel has eliminated Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for the 1983 U.S. Marines barracks bombing in Beirut, during a targeted airstrike on Friday. Aqil, 61, had been a major figure in Hezbollah’s military operations and was killed along with other top commanders in a southern Beirut hideout.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating that Aqil and his associates were plotting attacks against Israeli civilians. Aqil had been involved in Hezbollah since the 1980s and was a leading figure in its Operations Unit, responsible for numerous attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets.
The U.S. had issued a $7 million bounty for Aqil due to his involvement in the 1983 bombing that killed 241 U.S. personnel. Aqil also led Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces, which were planning to carry out Hezbollah’s “Conquer the Galilee” operation, an attempt to infiltrate Israeli territory.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that the strike took place in a civilian area where Aqil and his commanders were hiding. The IDF stressed that the operation was conducted to minimize harm to civilians while eliminating a major terrorist threat.
Aqil’s death follows Israel’s recent success in neutralizing Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Fuad Shukr, in July. The IDF will continue its efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure and protect Israeli citizens.
