Israel conducted an airstrike in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, for the first time since June, claiming to have killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haytham Tabtabai. The strike resulted in the death of five individuals and left 25 others wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai’s demise.
The attack, occurring almost a year after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, raised concerns of potential escalations in violence. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized the country’s commitment to safeguarding its northern residents and preventing threats.
Following the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tabtabai of spearheading Hezbollah’s rearmament efforts. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have intensified recently, amid pressures on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Israel alleges that Hezbollah is striving to rebuild its military capabilities, a claim denied by the Lebanese government.
Hezbollah has refrained from attacking Israel since the ceasefire began, with the exception of firing warning rockets in December. Haytham Tabtabai, identified as a terrorist by the U.S. in 2016, was considered the successor of Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah leader killed in 2024.
Hezbollah leaders expressed intentions of considering a response to the airstrike, potentially leading to heightened assaults across Lebanon. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strike, urging international intervention to halt attacks on the country and its people.
Israel reiterated its commitment to agreements with Lebanon despite the airstrike. Smoke was visible in Beirut’s Haret Hreik neighborhood post-strike, prompting criticisms for the lack of evacuation warnings. The incident sparked fears of civilian casualties and drew condemnation from Hezbollah representatives.
As tensions persist, Lebanon’s president signaled readiness for negotiations with Israel to cease airstrikes and withdraw from occupied territories. Hezbollah advocates for dialogue with the Lebanese government regarding its military arsenal, contingent upon Israel halting attacks.
The recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, initiated in October 2023, resulted in significant damage and casualties, severely weakening Hezbollah. The war inflicted substantial losses in both Lebanon and Israel, marking the latest in a series of conflicts involving Hezbollah over the years.