Israel's military has killed Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai, a senior member of the militant group Hezbollah, in an air strike on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, despite a ceasefire.
The Israeli Defense Forces described al-Tabtabai as a veteran of the group who had held various senior positions within Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's health ministry, the strike resulted in at least five fatalities and wounded 28 others after targeting an apartment building in the crowded Dahieh district.
Hezbollah immediately confirmed al-Tabtabai's death, asserting that Israel had crossed a red line by carrying out the strike.
This represents Israel's first attack on southern Beirut in months and comes amidst escalating military actions. Israeli officials allege that Hezbollah is actively trying to restore its military capabilities, claiming the group is smuggling weapons into Lebanon and has increased its production of explosive drones to supplement its arsenal.
In response to the airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, Under my leadership, the State of Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power, and we will not allow it to once again pose a threat to the State of Israel. He further emphasized his expectation that the Lebanese government would uphold its commitment to disarm Hezbollah.
On the Lebanese side, President Joseph Aoun has urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease its military actions and withdraw from Lebanon, highlighting that such actions violate the agreements that concluded a lengthy conflict.
The Lebanese government has pledged to disarm Hezbollah; however, the group refuses to discuss the future of its weapons until Israel stops its assaults and makes a complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory. A diplomatic source from the West noted that the Lebanese authorities are feeling pressure from the U.S. administration, which is dissatisfied with the perceived inadequate progress against Hezbollah, regarded as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and UK.
The latest hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah were intensified following cross-border rocket fire from Hezbollah in solidarity with Palestinians after Hamas' attacks on October 7, 2023. Officials from both sides report significant casualties: Lebanese accounts mention around 4,000 fatalities, while Israel has reported losses of over 80 soldiers and 47 civilians during the conflict.
Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai, designated a terrorist by the U.S. in 2016 with a $5 million bounty on his head, was known as a key military leader for Hezbollah, having commanded forces in Syria and Yemen, contributing to the group’s destabilizing influence in the region.
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