The death toll from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Beirut this Friday has risen to 37. Three children and seven women were among the victims in the deadliest attack in a year of conflict between Israel and Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. At least 68 people were injured.
What attack is this?
The Israeli military carried out what it said was a “selective” airstrike on Friday with a clear target: a base where a meeting of the command of Hezbollah’s elite force, al-Radwan Division, was taking place. 16 members were killed, including the unit’s leader, Ibrahim Akil – Hezbollah’s number two – and another senior commander.
“During this attack, the commanders of the Hezbollah Operations General Staff and the Radwan Division were eliminated along with Akhil,” the Israeli military said in a post on social network X (formerly Twitter).
“Ibrahim Akil and Ratwan commanders planned the ‘Conquer the Galilee’ attack, in which Hezbollah intended to infiltrate Israeli communities and kidnap and kill innocent civilians, similar to massacres carried out by Hamas in Palestine,” the same publication read. .
Israel closed its airspace this Saturday in anticipation of retaliation for the death of veteran Ibrahim Akil.
Another senior commander killed was Ahmad Mahmoud Wahfi, who until earlier this year led al-Radwan’s military operations in support of Hamas.
Has Hezbollah responded yet?
An Iranian-backed Lebanese paramilitary group confirmed the killing of two senior commanders in an Israeli strike. About two months ago, Tel Aviv forces killed Fuad Shokr, Hezbollah’s top military commander.
Hezbollah said it fired Katyusha rockets at two military bases in northern Israel today. “[Foi uma] In response to enemy attacks in southern Lebanon,” the Shiite movement said. AFP news agency reported heavy bombings in various parts of southern Lebanon.
Did Israel strike again?
The Israeli military announced new airstrikes this Saturday against “locations belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.” According to Reuters, Israeli warplanes carried out “some of the heaviest bombing” of the 11 months of fighting in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli Defense Minister has already made it clear that “the series of operations of the new phase of the war will continue”: “to guarantee the safe return of communities in northern Israel to their homes”, declared Yoav Gallant. X, added: “Our enemies have nowhere to take refuge, not even in the suburbs of Beirut.”
Is conflict escalating?
37 people were killed and 3,200 were injured, including the Iranian ambassador in Beirut, Mojdaba Amani.
On Thursday, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had already said that Israel would receive a “terrible punishment,” so Friday’s attack only worsened the conflict between them — and beyond.
In a statement, the anti-Islamic movement Hamas said, “This crime was committed by the occupation [israelita] It was a reckless act for which he had to pay a heavy price, and the blood of martyred leader Ibrahim Akil. […] It will be the flame that surrounds this artificial object.”
After the explosions, which involved dozens of communications devices, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Israel would face a “heavy response.” Now, Iran has condemned the new “brutal and heinous” attack in Beirut, which is a “blatant violation of international law, as well as a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security,” said Tehran’s embassy spokesman Nasser Khanani. , in a press release.