Photo of Ibrahim Aqil, shared on a Hezbollah Telegram channel, announcing his death.
Hezbollah confirmed Friday night that Israel had killed one of its significant leaders, Ibrahim Aqil, a few hours after an announcement from Israel announcing Aqil's "elimination."
While Hezbollah did not specify Aqil's rank or position in the party, it described him as "one of our great leaders," and said he was killed "on the road to Jerusalem," the formula used by Hezbollah to designate victims who have died fighting Israel.
"Jerusalem has always been in his heart, mind and thought, day and night," the party indicated in its statement. Praying in the historic city "was his greatest dream."
This announcement comes several hours after a major Israeli strike targeted a residential building in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Lebanese caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad announced Saturday morning that 37 people, including three children, seven women, and three Syrians, were killed in the attack.
In a press conference, Abiad also stated that 68 individuals were injured, with two in critical condition. 53 of the 68 injured have since been discharged from the hospitals.
According to the Israeli army, about ten commanders from the elite Radwan Forces were also killed. Al Jazeera reported that around 20 Radwan commanders had been gathered for a meeting in the underground parking garage of the building at the time of the strike.
