BEIRUT: Despite a US-mediated truce established a year ago, Israel on Sunday targetted southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, with air strike and killed Hezbollah’s top military official.
Israel claimed that it tagertted and killed Hezbollah’s acting chief of staff, Ali Tabtabai. However, Hezbollah has not immediately confirmed the death but acknowledged that a key member of the group had been targeted.
Standing near the damaged building in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, Hezbollah’s senior official Mahmoud Qmati described the attack as crossing a “red line” and noted that Hezbollah’s leadership would determine if and how the organization would respond.
In 2016, the United States imposed sanctions on Tabtabai, describing him as a senior Hezbollah leader and offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to him. According to the Israeli military, Tabtabai “oversaw most of Hezbollah’s units and worked extensively to restore their readiness for conflict with Israel.”
Five dead in strike:
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that the strike killed five individuals and injured 28 others. The attack struck a multi-story building, sending rubble tumbling onto vehicles along the main road below.
Following the incident, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the international community to step in to stop the attacks. In a statement, he emphasized that Lebanon “reiterates its call to the international community to take firm and serious action to halt attacks on Lebanon and its people.”
The strike occurred just a week before Pope Leo is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon for his first international trip, a visit many Lebanese hope could signal a path toward stability.
The ceasefire agreed upon in November 2024 was intended to end a year of conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, which began after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli positions following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, a Palestinian ally.
Lebanon asks world to stop Israel:
Following a deadly Israeli airstrike, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made an urgent appeal for the international community to “take strong action” to halt the ongoing aggression against Lebanon.
In the wake of the attack, which struck a residential building, President Aoun emphasized that Lebanon “reaffirms its call for the international community to act responsibly and decisively to stop the assaults on Lebanon and its citizens.”
Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed the casualties, reporting a “final toll” of five fatalities and 28 injuries, though the names of those killed were not disclosed.
Israel already killed much of Hezbollah’s leadership:
Over the course of the year-long conflict, Israel succeeded in dismantling much of the group’s leadership, including its leader at the time, Hassan Nasrallah.
Since 2024, Tel Aviv and Beirut have frequently exchanged accusations regarding ceasefire violations. Lebanon contends that Israel’s ongoing airstrikes and the occupation of five southern positions on Lebanese soil constitute serious breaches. President Aoun has expressed willingness to engage in talks but says Israeli authorities have yet to respond positively.
Israel, for its part, alleges that Hezbollah is attempting to regroup in southern areas and is urging Lebanon to take stronger action in seizing all unauthorized weapons nationwide, including those held by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah maintains that it has not launched any attacks on Israel since the ceasefire took effect and insists it is fully observing the truce.
