Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills 14, escalating tensions

An Israeli airstrike targeted a residential area in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties and escalating tensions in the region. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least 14 deaths, including five children, and 66 injuries. The National News Agency stated that an F-35 jet conducted two attacks on a building in Jamous Street.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out a targeted strike against top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil and other senior members of the Radwan special forces unit. Hezbollah later confirmed Aqil's death. Aqil had a $7 million bounty from the United States for his alleged connection to the 1983 bombing of a US marines barracks in Lebanon.

This attack marks the second time in less than two months that Israel has targeted a leading Hezbollah military commander in Beirut. In addition to Aqil, the strike also killed Ahmed Wahbi, another top Hezbollah commander who oversaw military operations of the Radwan special forces during the Gaza war until early 2024.

The Israeli military claimed to have killed around 10 senior commanders in the strike, including Aqil, who reportedly sat on Hezbollah's top military council. This attack follows an earlier incident this week where pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded, killing 37 people and wounding thousands. That attack was widely attributed to Israel, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams searching for survivors under the rubble of two buildings. The Lebanese army, medics, and firefighters were seen at the site of the airstrike.

This escalation comes amidst a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israel in solidarity with Palestinians, paralleling the ongoing conflict in Gaza