Hezbollah Commemorates Ibrahim Aqil Amid Rising Tensions with Israel
In a solemn ceremony held on Sunday, Hezbollah laid to rest Ibrahim Aqil, the commander of its elite Radwan Force, who was killed in an Israeli air raid in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The funeral drew a significant crowd, including Naim Qassem, the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, and numerous party supporters, marking a poignant moment amidst escalating regional tensions.
The Israeli raid, which targeted a meeting of Radwan Force leaders, resulted in a tragic death toll of 45 individuals, among them at least 10 civilians, as confirmed by the Lebanese Ministry of Health. This incident has intensified the ongoing conflict, with Hezbollah now vowing to enter a new phase of resistance against Israel, dubbed “The Battle of the Open Account.”
During the funeral, Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah would not shy away from responding to Israeli aggression, stating that threats would not deter their resolve. He highlighted Aqil's pivotal role in establishing the Radwan Force and asserted that the Israeli strikes aimed to cripple Hezbollah's leadership and undermine support for Gaza. Qassem condemned the Israeli actions as war crimes, noting the targeting of not just fighters but also civilians, including children and paramedics.
As Hezbollah escalates its military response, including unprecedented missile strikes into Israel, the regional landscape remains fraught with uncertainty and violence. Qassem's statements reflect a commitment to continue the resistance until the conflict in Gaza comes to an end.
