Israel conducted an airstrike on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, for the first time since June, claiming to have killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haytham Tabtabai. The attack resulted in the death of five individuals and left 25 others injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai’s demise and warned of potential escalations in attacks following the strike, which coincided with an upcoming visit by Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would take decisive actions to safeguard its residents against any threats. The Israeli military advised residents near the Lebanese border to continue their daily activities, indicating a perceived low likelihood of a military response from Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tabtabai of leading Hezbollah’s efforts to rearm, emphasizing the ongoing airstrikes over southern Lebanon. Israel and the United States have been pressuring Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, alleging the group’s attempts to rebuild its military capabilities. The Lebanese government, supporting disarmament, denies these claims and cites a need for additional resources for its army.
Hezbollah has refrained from attacking Israel since the ceasefire initiation but maintains its stance on not relinquishing its weapons until Israel halts its assaults. Tabtabai, who led Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Unit, was designated a terrorist by the U.S. in 2016 for his involvement in military operations in Syria and Yemen.
Hezbollah’s leadership is contemplating its response to the recent strike, with Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, hinting at potential escalations in assaults across Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike, accusing Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement and called for international intervention to halt further attacks on Lebanon.
Israel affirmed its commitment to the agreements with Lebanon but faced criticism for the strike in Beirut’s civilian-populated area without prior evacuation warnings. The incident caused damage to residential buildings, prompting residents to show defiance and resilience against perceived threats to their security.
Lebanon’s president expressed readiness to negotiate with Israel to cease airstrikes and withdraw from occupied territories, reiterating the country’s commitment to disarming non-state actors like Hezbollah through dialogue. The recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in 2023, severely weakened Hezbollah following extensive bombardments and a subsequent ground invasion by Israel.
The war inflicted significant casualties and destruction in both Lebanon and Israel, underscoring the enduring tensions in the region. An Israeli strike in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh resulted in 13 fatalities, marking the deadliest attack post-ceasefire, with conflicting reports on the target and casualties within the camp.
