More than 30 killed in Israeli airstrike targeting Hezbollah leaders in Beirut
More than 30 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital city, according to Lebanese health officials.
Health Minister Firass Abiad said during a Saturday news conference that the strike in southern Beirut left 31 people dead, including seven women and three children. At least 68 people were also injured, with about 15 still recovering in the hospital and two remain in critical condition, he added.
The strike, which took place Friday, took out Ibrahim Aqil, the head of Hezbollah’s operations unit and the commander of the elite special forces unit the Radwan Force, according to the Israeli military. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) added that other senior Radwan commanders were also killed.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that Aqil and the other Radwan commanders were huddled underground “beneath a residential building in the heart of the Dahieh neighborhood, using civilians as human shields.”
“They had gathered to coordinate terrorist activities against the citizens of Israel,” he said Friday.
The attack came not long after Hezbollah launched around 140 rockets toward the Jewish state, although most were shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, according to the Israeli military.
It also comes after the deadly pager and hand-held radio attacks earlier this week — along with subsequent strikes on military leaders — which has raised fears that a larger Israeli attack on Hezbollah is imminent, and a wider war is inevitable.
The explosions killed at least 37 people and injured close to 3,000, according to officials. Israel’s military, however, has not confirmed or denied its involvement in the attack.
Israel and Hezbollah, a terrorist-designated organization by the U.S., have gone back-and-forth since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 Israelis and more than 250 people were taken hostage.
In response, Israel’s military retaliated with an offensive that, so far, has killed around 41,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Date: | |
Tag: | Israel |
-
The New York Times - World
Senior Hezbollah Leader Is Killed in Beirut in Israeli Airstrike
The attack, which Lebanese officials said killed at least 14 and injured more than 60, stoked fears Israel is driving toward a full-blown war on its northern border, even as the fight in Gaza goes on.16 hours ago - Israel -
ABC News - World
Rare Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills Hezbollah commander and more than a dozen others
Israel has launched a rare airstrike that killed a senior Hezbollah military official in a densely populated southern Beirut neighborhood12 hours ago - Israel -
CBS News - Top stories
Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills senior Hezbollah commander
The Lebanon Health Minister says the death toll from an Israeli airstrike in Beirut has climbed to 31. Hezbollah said a second senior commander was among those killed in the attack, which comes ...3 hours ago - Israel -
NBC News - Top stories
Top Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli airstrike in Beirut
An Israeli airstrike took out a top Hezbollah commander who was behind the infamous 1983 Beirut bombings at the U.S. Embassy and the marine barracks. It comes after members of the terror group were ...2 hours ago - Israel -
The New York Times - World
Live Updates: Hezbollah Confirms Death of Senior Leader in Israeli Airstrike in Beirut
Israel said Ibrahim Aqeel was meeting with other senior Hezbollah commanders at the time of Friday’s airstrike. The United States had accused Aqeel of being involved in bombings that killed more ...12 hours ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
UN pleads against further violence after Israeli strike kills top Hezbollah leader
IDF airstrike on Beirut that killed at least 14 causes fears of escalation into even more devastating conflict. Middle East crisis live: latest updates Further violence between Israel and ...18 hours ago - Israel
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Trump goes off on Maher for 'sloppy and tired' attacks
Former President Trump slammed comedian Bill Maher, writing that the TV personality has become “sloppy and tired” and that his HBO show's topics tend to always include the GOP nominee. “The ...35 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
The deadly consequences of Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant hate
Scapegoating is the tool of the opportunist — a tactic Donald Trump is utilizing in his presidential campaign to propagate hate against immigrants.38 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Haberman says Trump 'on edge' after second apparent assassination attempt
Senior political correspondent Maggie Haberman suggested Friday evening that former President Trump is feeling anxious following two assassination threats this election cycle. Her comments came in ...41 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
The supreme crisis of Chief Justice John Roberts
Chief Justice John Roberts is facing a scandal after the New York Times published leaked confidential information from the Supreme Court, which could only have come from one of the nine members of ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
Van Jones commends Harris for letting her 'guard down' with Oprah
CNN commentator Van Jones applauded Vice President Harris for letting her “guard down” during the Democratic presidential nominee's event with media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Jones praised the White ...1 hour ago