Hezbollah confirms death of elite commander Ibrahim Aqil in Israeli strike
Hezbollah announced on Friday that its prominent jihadi commander, Ibrahim Aqil, also known as Haj Abdul Qader, has been killed, along with other leaders in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
“With great pride, the Islamic Resistance today offers one of its senior leaders as a martyr on the path to Jerusalem and pledges to his pure soul that we will remain faithful to his goals, dreams, and path until victory, God willing.” Said Hezbollah in a statement.
Hezbollah praised Aqil’s lifelong dedication, saying, “Jerusalem was always in his heart, mind, and thoughts, day and night. The city was the love of his soul, and his greatest dream was to pray in its mosque.”
The group extended condolences to its supporters and allies, stating, “We offer our deepest condolences and congratulations to our Master Sahib al-Zaman [Imam Mahdi, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad] and to His Eminence, [Supreme] Leader [Ali] Khamenei, as well as to all the fighters and resistance supporters everywhere, for the martyrdom of this great jihadi commander and his fallen brothers.”
Hezbollah also expressed solidarity with the families of the martyrs, “We pray that God accepts this dear soul, grants him a place with the Prophet and his pure family, and joins him with the radiant martyrs of Karbala.”
Hezbollah also mourned other leaders in the same Israeli strike including, Ahmad Mahmoud Wehbe, Hassan Madi, Mohamad Ahmad Rida, Mahmoud Yassin Hamad, Mohamad Al-Attar, Samer Halawi, Ahmad Dib, Abdalah Hijaza, Aref Al-Rez, Hassan Hussein, Abbas Moslemani, Hussein Hodroj.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the attack killed 14 people including children, and injured 66 others with nine in critical condition.
Israeli media outlets indicated that the strike occurred during a meeting of Hezbollah’s Al-Radwan leaders and officials responsible for the Galilee area including Aqil.