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Israel Says Michigan Synagogue Attacker’s Brother Was a Hezbollah Commander

The FBI has not corroborated the Israeli claim, calling the case a targeted act against the Jewish community.

Overview

  • A Sunday IDF statement identified Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali, brother of attacker Ayman Ghazali, as a Hezbollah weapons manager in the Badr Unit killed in a March 5 airstrike.
  • Hezbollah disputed the alleged affiliation in comments reported by the New York Times, and U.S. investigators have not independently verified Israel’s assertion.
  • Authorities say Ayman Ghazali, 41, drove a fireworks- and fuel-laden vehicle into Temple Israel near Detroit on March 12, exchanged fire with security, and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  • Officials reported no injuries to the more than 100 children and staff inside; a security guard was hurt and first responders were treated for smoke inhalation, with prior training credited for preventing casualties.
  • U.S. records show the Lebanon-born naturalized citizen had previously been flagged for connections to suspected Hezbollah associates, and several of his relatives were killed in an Israeli strike days before the attack.