Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill at least 12 people and wound 66

At least 12 people have been killed and 66 wounded in a bombing raid by Israel in southern Lebanon, Israeli forces said. The operation was a response to a recent attack from Lebanon and focused on the Beirut region, where chaos broke out.

During the attack, Israel claimed to have killed Ibrahim Akil, a Hezbollah commander, along with several senior Hezbollah officials. “The commanders we eliminated today had been leading attacks against Israeli citizens since October 8 and were planning to carry out more at this stage.”confirmed Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli army.

He was wanted by the United States

Ibrahim Akil was a high-profile target wanted by the United States, which was offering a $7 million reward for information about him. He was credited with playing a key role in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, which left 63 dead.

The victims of the bombing were rushed to hospitals, which are currently overwhelmed by the wave of attacks. Despite the seriousness of the incident, Israel has said it is not seeking a major escalation of the conflict.

The confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, with more than 9,600 incidents recorded since October 7 last year. Hezbollah, which plays a significant role in Lebanese politics and operates with the backing of Iran, has a sizable arsenal and a well-trained army, raising concerns about a potential wider conflict in the region.

The current situation raises questions about the future of the region, especially given the possibility of actors such as Iran becoming involved in a large-scale conflict. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s decision on whether to maintain a limited war or escalate the conflict will be crucial, as the consequences could be catastrophic not only for Lebanon, but for the entire world.