Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) allegedly uncovered Hezbollah's intention to carry out widespread massacres across Israel.
Following Israel's midday elimination of a high-ranking Hezbollah official, the military divulges insights into the operation: Hezbollah was intending to mimic the Hamas massacre in Galilee, northern Israel. The architect of this plan was the deceased commander, Akil.
As per an Israeli army press release, Hezbollah was planning a replica of the horrific attack they experienced at the hands of Hamas in October the previous year. The Hezbollah military chief, Ibrahim Akil, who was eliminated in Israel's airstrike in Beirut, served as the mastermind behind the plan to invade northern Israel according to Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari. Hezbollah's tactic, "to seize Galilee," involved crossing into Israel, assuming control of Galilee's communities, and terrorizing and kidnapping Israeli civilians, reminiscent of Hamas' actions in October.
The devastating attack from Hamas, an organization associated with Hezbollah, along with other extremist groups, claimed over 1,200 lives in Israel on October 7, 2023 and held around 250 in captivity in the Gaza Strip. This incident led to the Gaza war. The constant exchange of shells between Israel and Hezbollah has occurred nearly every day since then. Hezbollah seeks to halt its attacks on Israel only with a ceasefire in Gaza. The conflict has now escalated to a war zone.
Spokesperson: Akil had a trail of blood
Hezbollah acknowledged the loss of its military chief in the evening. Akil was one of its founding members and was instrumental in the military wing of the organization. According to media sources, he was now the successor to the military commander Fuad Shukr, who also lost his life to Israel on August 30. Akil served as the commander of Hezbollah's elite unit Radwan, said Israeli army spokesperson Hagari. In this role, he was responsible for their anti-tank, explosives, and air defense activities. Akil orchestrated numerous attacks and also attempted to infiltrate Israel. "Akil carried a heavy burden of guilt" and was responsible for the "demise of numerous innocent civilians," said Hagari.
The U.S. placed a $7 million (around 6.27 million euros) bounty on Akil. According to the Israeli army, ten leaders of the Radwan elite unit also perished in the airstrike in Beirut. At least 14 people were killed and at least 66 others were injured, according to Lebanese reports.
The Israeli army spokesperson asserted that Akil's actions as commander of Hezbollah's elite unit Radwan led to the death of numerous innocent civilians, making him a key figure in the potential "War with Israel." The U.S. had placed a significant bounty on Akil in light of his role in planning and executing attacks against Israel.
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