Hezbollah Confirms the Death of 16 Members in Israel's Attack on Beirut

Hezbollah Lebanon confirmed on Saturday, September 31, that 16 members of the group were killed in the deadly attack by Israel on Friday, September 30, including Ibrahim Aqil, commander of the Ridwan unit and a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council, as well as Ahmad Wahbi, a senior commander of the group. The Lebanese Ministry of Health also stated that at least 31 people, including three children and seven women, were killed as a result of Israel's attack on a gathering place for Hezbollah commanders and members in the suburbs of Beirut. Ali Hamieh, Lebanon's Minister of Health and an ally of Hezbollah, stated at the scene of the attack that the fate of at least 23 others remains unknown. The attack on Friday followed explosions of Hezbollah's communication devices on Tuesday and Wednesday, which resulted in 39 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. Although these explosions have been attributed to Israel, the country has taken a position of 'neither confirming nor denying' in this regard. Reuters reported, citing a 'Lebanese security source,' that the building where Hezbollah commanders and members gathered was located next to a kindergarten. Previously, Israel has accused Iranian proxy groups, including Hezbollah, of using civilians as human shields. Another source told Reuters that several rockets hit the entrance of the building's garage, destroying it during Ibrahim Aqil's meeting with other Hezbollah commanders. Following the deadly attack on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel's objectives are clear and its actions are evident. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant also stated that attacks on Hezbollah positions will continue until Israeli citizens return to their homes in the north of the country. The Israeli army announced on Saturday that the skies over northern Israel are closed to private flights, but international flights will continue. With at least 70 deaths in recent days, the total number of casualties from Israeli attacks in the country has exceeded 740 since last October. According to Israeli army statistics, over 450 of the dead are Hezbollah members. The ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah are the most intense since the war in the summer of 2006. The escalation of conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel has occurred following continued rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on Israel and explosions of the group's communication devices, which resulted in nearly 40 deaths, mostly among members of this Iranian proxy group, and 3,000 injuries. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 15 of last year, Hezbollah has also entered the war and has repeatedly attacked northern Israel with rocket fire, causing thousands of Israelis to leave their homes in the north of the country. Israel has stated that it will ensure security in its northern regions by any means necessary, whether diplomatic or military. Israel is demanding Hezbollah's withdrawal from border areas of Lebanon with Israel. So far, diplomatic efforts to push Hezbollah back to the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the common border of Israel and Lebanon based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006, have failed. Hezbollah Lebanon was established in 1982 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Several countries, including the United States, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized the group as a terrorist organization. The designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization means there is no distinction between its political and military branches, and both are considered terrorist entities. Protesters injured in the conflict addressed the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon, stating: 'It is your turn next.' Ibrahim Aqil, the killed Hezbollah commander, was wanted due to deadly bombings against Americans in Lebanon. A senior Hezbollah member was killed in the Israeli airstrike in Beirut. User reactions to the explosion of Hezbollah's communication equipment ranged from joy to skepticism about its effectiveness. Reuters reported that Hezbollah distributed 'pagers' among its members hours before the explosion. Discussions between Austin and Galant indicated that the United States expressed concern over the escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli army stated that it destroyed 1,000 rockets prepared for launch by Hezbollah. Blinken called for restraint in the region, especially in Lebanon. Nasrallah acknowledged the unprecedented military and security damage inflicted on Hezbollah.