The Israeli navy says it killed Hezbollah’s second most senior determine in the first air strikes in months on southern Beirut.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) known as Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff, “a key operative and veteran in the terrorist organization.”
“The strike was intended to prevent the organization from further strengthening its capabilities and to deliver a precise blow to those who attempt to harm the State of Israel,” mentioned IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in a press release after the assault.
Hezbollah mentioned the killing of Tabatabai was “a treacherous Israeli attack” on the Haret Hreik neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs, in keeping with a press release Sunday.
Five individuals had been killed and 28 injured in the assault, in keeping with the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Images from the scene confirmed smoke coming from the fourth or fifth ground of an condominium constructing in a crowded half of southern Beirut.
The workplace of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the IDF had struck “in the heart of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff, who led the organization’s buildup and armament efforts.”
Netanyahu ordered the strike primarily based on the advice of the Minister of Defense and the IDF Chief of Staff, his workplace mentioned.
“We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and to the State of Israel,” mentioned Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, including: “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel — his hand will be cut off.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun mentioned in a publish to social media Sunday that Israel’s focusing on of Beirut is “proof that it does not heed the repeated calls to stop its aggressions against Lebanon.” He additionally known as on the worldwide group to “intervene forcefully.”
The final strikes the IDF acknowledged finishing up in the Lebanese capital of Beirut occurred in early-June, when Israel mentioned it focused underground drone manufacturing services belonging to Hezbollah. Since then, Israel has avoided putting Beirut, even because it has carried out frequent assaults in southern Lebanon, thought-about a Hezbollah stronghold.
An Israeli strike on southern Beirut in September 2024 killed Hezbollah’s long-time chief Hassan Nasrallah, and Israeli strikes have hollowed out the group’s navy management. Israel additionally blew up pagers and walkie-talkies utilized by Hezbollah members, killing dozens of individuals.
A ceasefire was agreed by means of US mediation a yr in the past, however Israeli forces have continued to strike Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley.
The United States designated Tabatabai as a terrorist in 2016, saying he was a key Hezbollah navy chief “who has commanded the group’s special forces in both Syria and Yemen.”
The US Rewards for Justice program supplied as much as $5 million for info on Tabatabai.
Under the ceasefire settlement, Hezbollah is supposed to give up its heavy weapons and withdraw all personnel from south of the Litani river.
There has been little progress on disarmament, main Israeli officers to warn that navy motion will likely be stepped up until the Lebanese authorities strikes to curb Hezbollah.