Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah

Ava Cai

September 20, 2024

Ambulances raced frantically through the streets of Beirut and dust crowded the vision of rescuers who were trying to find survivors under the rubble. This was the aftermath described by Lebanese citizens of an airstrike launched by Israel against Hezbollah. Following the unexpected attack on the capital of Lebanon that ended in two residential apartments collapsing, many fear that Israel is ready to engage in a full-scale war on its northern border. 

The airstrike occurred on Friday, with Israeli fighter jets bombing an apartment building in Beirut, killing 14 senior figures in the Hezbollah movement. Among the 14 who were killed, ten were from Hezbollah’s (Hezbollah is a Lebanese militia backed by Iran) elite Radwan unit, and one was a senior Hezbollah commander, Ibrahim Aqil, who was involved in the 1983 bombings of US barracks in the capital of Lebanon. The United States has long pointed fingers at Ibrahim Aqil for being a major actor in the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and of the U.S. Marine barracks. In the days leading up to the airstrike launched by Israel, Hezbollah was still recovering from previous Israeli attacks that killed at least 37 people and injured thousands more. The attacks aimed at blowing up Hezbollah communication devices, and Hezbollah’s leader promised a response in return. 

Even as Israel continues to wage war with Hamas in Gaza, Lebanese fear that Israel is slowly escalating its conflict with Hezbollah as well. Israel is also seen decreasing its war efforts in Gaza and redirecting its attention to its northern border with Lebanon. As tensions heighten more than ever before, more than 160,000 people from both sides are being forced to be displaced. The defense minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant, says that Israel will not pull away from its “series of actions in the new stage” until the thousands of Israelis can return to their home country safely. Hezbollah has fired more than 140 rockets into Israel according to Israeli officials, and Hezbollah says that it will not stop launching drones and rockets into Israel until Israel forfeits its military position in Gaza. 

The airstrike on Friday was not the first time that Israel has targeted Ibrahim Aqil for the consequence of his actions. In fact, in 2000, the senior Hezbollah commander was fired upon from his car by Israeli helicopters in response to the death of a Lebanese militia leader. He survived the attack with only a few injuries. After confirming his death following the recent bombardment, Hezbollah described Mr. Aqil as one of their greatest leaders with many honorable achievements and victories.