IDF carries out Beirut air strike after Hezbollah fires 140 rockets into Israel

Israel carried out an air strike on a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut on Friday. The attack reportedly killed eight people and injured 17. Among the dead is Ibrahim Aqil, the head of Hezbollah's elite Radwan unit, according to AFP sources.

The United States had a $7 million reward for information on Aqil, describing him as a "principal member" of Hezbollah. Aqil was tied to the 1983 US embassy bombing in Beirut that killed 63 people. IDF confirms it has killed Ibrahim Aqil

Residents in southern Beirut heard a loud blast, and a thick cloud of smoke was seen over the city. A Lebanese security official told AFP, "Israel conducted an air strike on the Beirut southern suburbs near Al-Qaem mosque."

Another 20 rockets were fired at Meron and Netua, mostly landing in open areas without causing injuries, according to the Israeli military. Fire crews were dispatched to deal with fires caused by falling debris.

The Israeli military reported that rockets were fired in three separate waves, targeting areas along the Lebanon border. They confirmed that 120 rockets were aimed at the Golan Heights, Safed, and the Upper Galilee, with some intercepted. No casualties were reported.

Earlier, Hezbollah launched 140 rockets into northern Israel following recent Israeli air strikes. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had pledged to retaliate against Israel.

US national security spokesman John Kirby said he had no knowledge of Israel informing the United States about the attack. He advised Americans to avoid travel to Lebanon and urged those in the country to leave.

An air strike hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking the third such incident since October 7, when the Israel-Hamas war began. This week, the violence has shifted significantly from Gaza to Lebanon.