Israel Kills Hezbollah Military Chief in Strike on Beirut Suburb

On Sunday, Israel killed the military chief of Hezbollah in an airstrike on a densely populated residential building in southern Beirut, resulting in five deaths according to Lebanese authorities.

This marks the highest-ranking Hezbollah official to be killed since the deadly war against Israel nearly a year ago, which left the group severely weakened.

The Israeli army confirmed that Haitham Ali Tabatabai was killed in a fifth strike on Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold since the ceasefire went into effect. Later that evening, Hezbollah confirmed that the "great leader" Tabatabai was killed "due to an Israeli aggression."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel "will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power" and urged the Lebanese government to "fulfill its commitment to disarm Hezbollah," coming just a week before Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon.

Tabatabai, described by the Israeli army as "the most important commander of Hezbollah," was promoted to military chief after the deaths of key military leaders during the conflict.

The airstrike hit the third and fourth floors of a nine-story building, leaving several burnt cars at its base, as reported by an AFP journalist. Rescuers evacuated a body wrapped in a white bag and at least six injured individuals, including three women, from the building, which housed a bakery, a toy store, and an appliance shop on its ground floor.

"I was visiting my mother and was on the balcony," recounted a man who was in a building facing the struck site. "There was a flash, and then I hit the railing, and all the glass shattered," he added, still in shock and unwilling to give his name.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, five people were killed and 28 injured.

Netanyahu, who vowed to "do whatever it takes" to prevent a strengthening of the pro-Iranian movement, "ordered the attack on the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff," his office stated.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the international community to "seriously and forcefully intervene to end the attacks on Lebanon" by Israel, emphasizing that Lebanon was complying with the ceasefire.

Israel has recently intensified its strikes in Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon, claiming to target the Shiite movement accused of violating the ceasefire by rearming and reactivating its infrastructure.

Hezbollah initiated hostilities by opening a front against Israel at the onset of the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas's attack on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023. A ceasefire has been in effect in Palestinian territories since October 10.

"We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat against the residents of the north and the state of Israel. Anyone who raises their hand against Israel will have their hand cut off," emphasized Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The name Tabatabai, born in 1968 as per Hezbollah's announcement, was not widely known in Lebanon. Before assuming his role, he was responsible for the Yemen dossier within Hezbollah, which supports Houthi rebels, according to a source close to the pro-Iranian group. He also held positions in Syria, where the group supported Bashar al-Assad's regime, as noted by the United States, which had placed him on their terrorism-linked individuals list.

Hezbollah emerged weakened from the conflict with Israel, which culminated in two months of open war before the truce, and claims to have adhered to the ceasefire since.

For their part, Lebanese authorities regularly accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States by continuing its strikes and maintaining occupation of five strategic points in southern Lebanon.

The United States is simultaneously pressuring the Lebanese government to compel Hezbollah to disarm, which the group has thus far refused to do.