Hezbollah Commander Killed in IDF Airstrike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the assassination of Hezbollah's Operations Commander Ibrahim Aqil in a targeted airstrike in Beirut, which also killed senior members of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force. Aqil, who was responsible for numerous attacks including the 1983 US Marine barracks bombing, had a $7 million bounty from the US. The IDF stated that Aqil and his associates were planning a large-scale attack on Israeli communities. Hezbollah condemned the strike, vowing retaliation and receiving support from Hamas. The strike follows a series of covert operations against Hezbollah, including the recent explosion of militants' pagers and walkie-talkies. The assassination has heightened tensions, with Hezbollah launching retaliatory attacks and increasing fears of further escalation in the region.