On Saturday, September 21, United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed concern about the escalating situation between Israel and Lebanon. He also supported Israel’s action in killing the Hezbollah commander, a man with American blood on his hands.
Both the Israeli military and Hezbollah confirmed that senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday, September 20. The United States State Department had a $7 million bounty on Aqil.
According to the Israeli military, Aqil was formerly in a top position in Hezbollah’s military structure and was currently serving as the acting commander of the elite “Radwan force” within Hezbollah, along with other senior commanders of the unit.
Sullivan, speaking before the Quad meeting held in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday, stated that as the threat becomes “more serious”, the risk of escalation between Israel and Hezbollah is real.
He said, “In theory, the capabilities of Hezbollah in Lebanon have been hit. As for what impact it will have on their ability to threaten Israel, I think more time is needed to assess.”
“Since (last year) October 7 (when Hamas attacked Israel), the risk of escalation has always existed. I believe we are currently in such a critical moment,” he added.
Regarding the killing of Aqil, Sullivan remarked, “We believe it is a good outcome when terrorists involved in murdering Americans are brought to justice at any time.”
He further commented, “There are many different ways to view this attack, but personally, the main way I see this attack traces back to our previous discussions, that is, it was an attack against a senior terrorist with Israeli and American blood on his hands.”
Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut by Hezbollah in 1983. The U.S. State Department announced a $7 million bounty to obtain information on the main leader of this radical organization, Aqil.
The U.S. accused Aqil of involvement in the 1983 embassy attack, which resulted in the death of 63 people. Later that year, 241 American personnel died in the explosion at the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in an attack by Hezbollah.
“This person has American blood on his hands and is also sought after by justice,” Sullivan said. “Countries committed long ago that we will make every effort to bring him to justice.”
He added that this moment also holds significance for American victims.
“1983 seems like a long time ago,” he said, “but for many families and individuals, they still live in these circumstances every day.”
Sullivan also mentioned that he can still see the path to a ceasefire in Gaza but the U.S. is currently “not ready to offer any proposals”.
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that around 180 targets in southern Lebanon were attacked on Saturday. The IDF reported that the Israeli Air Force “hit thousands of launch tubes ready to fire at Israeli territory”.
“Additionally, the IDF’s artillery attacked some areas in southern Lebanon,” the IDF added, saying they will “continue to dismantle and weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure.”
Lebanese media reported that Israel launched attacks on wide areas in southern and eastern Lebanon on Saturday, leading to forest fires.
There were also fires reported in northern Israel, with Hezbollah claiming to have fired multiple shells towards Israel on Saturday, including targeting the Beit Hillel camp.
Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces stated that around 90 shells were fired from Lebanon into Israel.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that on Friday, the Israeli airstrikes in the outskirts of Beirut resulted in the deaths of 37 individuals, including senior leaders Aqil and another senior commander Ahmed Wahbi, along with 16 members. The airstrikes also led to the deaths of three children and seven women.