Israel recently conducted an airstrike on Beirut, killing Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah commander, along with other high-ranking members of the group's elite unit. This marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has spanned over a year. The Israeli military has vowed to continue its campaign until it secures the Lebanese border region.

Aqil, who had a $7-million U.S. bounty on him due to his role in the 1983 bombing of Marines in Lebanon, had been leading Hezbollah operations since 2004. According to Israel, he was responsible for planning a raid on northern Israel, similar to the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023. In July, Israel also eliminated Fuad Shukr, another top Hezbollah commander, in a similar strike.

The recent strike, which targeted a densely populated area of Beirut, drew sharp criticism from the U.N., with Special Coordinator Jeanine-Hennis Plasschaert calling for an immediate halt to the "dangerous cycle of violence." Rocket fire was reported from both sides, with Hezbollah retaliating against Israeli intelligence headquarters in the north.

The intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly after the Gaza war, is the worst since their 2006 confrontation, raising concerns that the violence could further escalate beyond the border regions. Many civilians have already been displaced, and the situation remains volatile. Despite the heightened tensions, the U.S. has stressed its efforts to prevent a full-scale war.