On September 15, 2024, Ibrahim Aqil, a high-ranking commander of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs. Aqil, who carried a $7 million bounty from the United States, was allegedly involved in the 1983 Beirut truck bombings that resulted in over 300 casualties at the American embassy and a U.S. Marines barracks.
Two Lebanese security sources confirmed that Aqil, also known by the aliases Tahsin and Abdelqader, was eliminated during a meeting of Hezbollah's elite Radwan unit. This incident marks the second loss of a member from Hezbollah's top military body, the Jihad Council, in a span of two months, following the death of Fuad Shukr in July 2024.
The recent escalation of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah comes after months of border tensions, triggered by the conflict in Gaza that began on October 7, 2023. This conflict was initiated by a deadly raid and hostage-taking operation in Israel by Hamas, Hezbollah's Palestinian ally.
Aqil, born around 1960 in Lebanon's Beqaa valley, was a founding member of Hezbollah. The organization, established in 1985 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, has evolved from a shadowy militia into Lebanon's most powerful military and political entity. Hezbollah played a crucial role in ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000 and engaged in another conflict with Israel in 2006.
The United States accused Aqil of involvement in the 1983 Beirut bombings and the abduction of American and German hostages in Lebanon. In 2019, he was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, with a $7 million bounty placed on his head.
"The bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks and other attacks on Western interests in Lebanon in the 1980s were carried out by small groups not linked to Hezbollah."
It's worth noting that Hezbollah has grown significantly since its inception. The organization now boasts an estimated 25,000 active fighters and operates an extensive social services network in Lebanon. It has also developed a sophisticated media arm, including its own TV station, Al-Manar.
Aqil's death is considered a severe blow to Hezbollah's command structure, potentially rivaling the impact of Imad Mughniyeh's assassination in 2008. Mughniyeh was revered by Hezbollah as a legendary commander but viewed as a terrorist by Israel and the United States.
The elimination of Aqil, whose bounty exceeded that of Shukr's, may prove to be a significant setback for Hezbollah. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the long-term implications of this loss for the organization remain to be seen.