Israel claims brother of Michigan synagogue attacker was Hezbollah commander

The brother of the man who attacked a West Bloomfield synagogue was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, along with three other relatives.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:19pm

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The brother of a man who attacked a Michigan synagogue last week, who was killed earlier this month in an Israeli airstrike, was a Hezbollah commander, Israel's military claimed. The attacker, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, carried out the synagogue attack after learning that four of his family members were killed in the Israeli strike in Lebanon.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and violence between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has spread across the Middle East. It also raises questions about the potential radicalization of individuals and how family connections can influence acts of violence.

The details

According to authorities, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, waited in his car outside Temple Israel near Detroit for about two hours with a rifle, commercial grade fireworks, and jugs of liquid believed to be gasoline, before crashing into the building full of dozens of children and opening fire. He fatally shot himself after getting stuck in his vehicle and the engine catching fire. No staffers or children inside the synagogue were hurt, likely due to beefed up security in recent months.

  • On March 5, Ibrahim Ghazali, the brother of the synagogue attacker, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon along with three other of the attacker's relatives.
  • On March 15, the attack on the Michigan synagogue took place.

The players

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali

The 41-year-old man who carried out the attack on the Michigan synagogue.

Ibrahim Ghazali

The brother of the synagogue attacker, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon along with three other of the attacker's relatives.

Hezbollah

An Iranian-backed militant group that Israel has stepped up attacks on in Lebanon as the war with Iran has spread violence across the Middle East.

Israel

The country that claims Ibrahim Ghazali was a Hezbollah commander who managed weapons for a unit that fired rockets at Israel.

FBI

The agency leading the investigation into the synagogue attack, which it has described as an act of violence targeting the Jewish community.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The FBI, which is leading the investigation, said it didn't have enough evidence yet to call the synagogue attack an act of terror.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and violence between Israel and Hezbollah, and how family connections can influence acts of violence. It also raises questions about the potential radicalization of individuals and the challenges of preventing such attacks.