Israel's military has killed a senior member of the militant group Hezbollah in an air strike on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, despite a ceasefire. It described Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai, Hezbollah's chief of staff, as a veteran of the group who had held a series of senior positions.
Lebanon's health ministry reported that at least five people were killed and 28 others wounded in the strike, which hit an apartment building in the densely populated Dahieh district. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai's death, stating that Israel had crossed a red line in carrying out the strike.
This attack marks Israel's first operation in southern Beirut for months, coinciding with an escalation in Israeli military activities against individuals and targets linked to Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim group supported by Iran. Israeli officials assert that Hezbollah has been attempting to rebuild its military capabilities and smuggling weapons into Lebanon, raising concerns of intensified conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed a strong stance against the rebuilding of Hezbollah's power, emphasizing that such threats to Israel’s security will not be tolerated. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reached out to the international community, urging them to pressure Israel into halting its military operations and to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese government has expressed intentions to disarm Hezbollah but faces resistance from the group, which demands that Israel stops its attacks and withdraws completely from Lebanon first. Recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah were sparked after the latter launched rocket attacks following the Hamas offensive on October 7, 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Consequently, Israel's military actions have resulted in widespread casualties, including about 4,000 deaths of civilians in Lebanon. In light of these developments, the United States has imposed sanctions on Tabtabai, recognizing him as a terrorist leader and offering a reward for information about him.
Lebanon's health ministry reported that at least five people were killed and 28 others wounded in the strike, which hit an apartment building in the densely populated Dahieh district. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai's death, stating that Israel had crossed a red line in carrying out the strike.
This attack marks Israel's first operation in southern Beirut for months, coinciding with an escalation in Israeli military activities against individuals and targets linked to Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim group supported by Iran. Israeli officials assert that Hezbollah has been attempting to rebuild its military capabilities and smuggling weapons into Lebanon, raising concerns of intensified conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed a strong stance against the rebuilding of Hezbollah's power, emphasizing that such threats to Israel’s security will not be tolerated. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reached out to the international community, urging them to pressure Israel into halting its military operations and to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese government has expressed intentions to disarm Hezbollah but faces resistance from the group, which demands that Israel stops its attacks and withdraws completely from Lebanon first. Recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah were sparked after the latter launched rocket attacks following the Hamas offensive on October 7, 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Consequently, Israel's military actions have resulted in widespread casualties, including about 4,000 deaths of civilians in Lebanon. In light of these developments, the United States has imposed sanctions on Tabtabai, recognizing him as a terrorist leader and offering a reward for information about him.
