Top Hezbollah military commander killed in Israeli strike on Beirut suburb

Israel carried out an airstrike on a southern district of Beirut on Sunday, killing Hezbollah’s acting chief of staff Ali Tabtabai, according to a statement from the Israeli military.

The attack comes despite a U.S.-negotiated truce that has been in place for a year.

The strike, the first in months to hit areas near the Lebanese capital, struck a building in the Haret Hreik suburb, long considered a Hezbollah stronghold. Israel said the attack was aimed at the Iran-backed group’s senior military figure.

Hezbollah has not yet confirmed Tabtabai’s death. However, senior official Mahmoud Qmati acknowledged that an important member of the movement had been targeted. Speaking near the damaged building, he said the strike crossed a “red line”. He added that Hezbollah’s leadership would determine whether and how to respond.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported five fatalities and 28 injuries. The blast hit a multi-storey building, scattering rubble across a main roadway below. Residents hurried out of nearby apartments, fearing additional strikes, a Reuters reporter said.

Tabtabai was sanctioned by the United States in 2016, which identified him as a key figure within Hezbollah and offered up to $5 million for information about him.

Israel’s military said Tabtabai “commanded most of Hezbollah’s units and worked hard to restore them to readiness for war with Israel.”
In a brief televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities and said he expected the Lebanese government “to fulfill its obligation to disarm Hezbollah.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on world powers to act to halt Israeli attacks.

The strike comes shortly before Pope Leo’s planned visit to Lebanon — his first foreign trip — which many hope will mark a turning point for the crisis-stricken country.

The November 2024 ceasefire was intended to halt a year of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah following rocket fire from the group the day after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Still, Israel has continued near-daily operations in Lebanon, saying it is targeting weapons sites, fighters, and efforts by Hezbollah to rebuild. Those strikes have intensified in recent weeks.

Asked whether Washington had been alerted ahead of Sunday’s attack, Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said Israel makes decisions independently.

Israel has already eliminated much of Hezbollah’s senior command during the conflict, including former leader Hassan Nasrallah. Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. Lebanon cites continued Israeli strikes and Israel’s occupation of five southern posts as major breaches. Aoun has said he is open to talks but has not received a positive reply from Israel.

Israel contends Hezbollah is attempting to reorganize in the south and has pressed Lebanon to crack down on all unauthorized weapons, including those held by the group. Hezbollah says it has adhered to the ceasefire and has not fired on Israel since it came into effect.

(REUTERS)