In brief
Israel has conducted an airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking its first attack in months and aimed at a high-ranking Hezbollah official. At least five individuals have been killed and many others wounded in this apparent violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese government has called for international intervention while Hezbollah promises retaliation. The ongoing conflict has had devastating effects, with thousands killed and over a million displaced in Lebanon since the latest hostilities began.
Israel has carried out an air strike on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for the first time in months, targeting a senior member of the militant group Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the target was Hezbollah's chief of staff. Israeli media reports identified him as Ali Tabtai, describing him as the group's number two.
Lebanon's health ministry reported that at least five people had been killed and 28 others wounded in the strike, which hit an apartment building in the densely populated Dahieh district. It was not immediately clear if the person killed was Tabtai.
Hezbollah confirmed the strike targeted a senior commander but did not disclose their identity.
The attack occurs as Israel has intensified its campaign against individuals and targets it claims are affiliated with Hezbollah—a Shia Muslim group supported by Iran—despite a ceasefire brokered by the US and France.
Israeli officials allege Hezbollah has been attempting to rebuild its military capabilities, smuggling weapons into Lebanon, and increasing the production of explosive drones as an alternative to rockets and missiles. This has raised fears of escalating hostilities.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease its attacks and withdraw, calling the strikes violations of agreements made to conclude 13 months of conflict.
The Lebanese government has pledged to disarm Hezbollah, but the group refuses to reconsider its arms until Israel stops its assaults, withdraws from Lebanon, and releases Lebanese prisoners.
A Western diplomatic source indicated that the Lebanese authorities are experiencing pressure from the Trump administration, frustrated with what they deem slow progress against Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the US and UK.
The latest conflict erupted after Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israeli positions the day after Hamas launched attacks on October 7, 2023, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Israeli actions have reportedly resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, including many civilians, and displaced over 1.2 million individuals. Meanwhile, Israeli casualties count over 80 soldiers and 47 civilians.
The US government had imposed sanctions on Tabtai in 2016 and has since labeled him a terrorist, offering a reward for information leading to his capture.
