Israeli forces launched a targeted strike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut, just hours after Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into Israel. The strike reportedly killed Ibrahim Aqil, Hezbollah’s operations commander, according to Israeli media. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed three deaths in the attack.
Aqil was implicated in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut, which claimed the lives of 63 people, according to the U.S. State Department.
The Israeli strike came in response to Hezbollah launching between 140 and 150 rockets across the Lebanese border into Israel on Friday. In retaliation, the Israeli military hit over 100 Hezbollah rocket launcher sites in southern Lebanon.
Read: Hezbollah Launches Major Rocket Attack On Northern Israel
Earlier in the week, suspected Israeli attacks on Hezbollah’s communications systems, including radio and pager devices, killed 37 people and injured over 3,000.
Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam described the past week as “very intense” for Lebanon and warned that the conflict was escalating by the hour.
Previous report:
Hezbollah Launches Major Rocket Attack On Northern Israel
Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, unleashed a barrage of 140 rockets on northern Israel on Friday. This attack, confirmed by both the Israeli military and Hezbollah, came just a day after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed retaliation for an Israeli mass bombing.
The militant group claimed to have hit several military installations, including air defense bases and an armored brigade headquarters. They stated this attack was in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese villages and homes.
Read: Israeli Defense Minister Warns Hezbollah Of Increasing Consequences Amid Escalating Tensions
The exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel has been almost constant since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 8th.
However, Friday’s rocket barrages were notably heavier than usual. This escalation follows recent attacks, widely attributed to Israel, which targeted Hezbollah’s communication devices.
Nasrallah described these attacks as a “severe blow” but vowed to continue daily strikes on Israel.
While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the attacks on Hezbollah’s communications, the incidents have raised concerns that the ongoing conflict could escalate into a full-blown war.
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