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Israel claims to have killed one of Hezbollah’s top military leaders in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
“Israel has eliminated today in Beirut the Chief of Staff of Hezbollah, who had worked to rebuild and expand Hezbollah’s military and terrorist capabilities,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Sunday.
The military leader was identified as Hezbollah Chief of General Staff Haytham Ali Tabatabai.
“Throughout his years of activity, he led numerous terrorist operations against Israel, directed efforts to build Hezbollah’s terror army, and undermined regional stability,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry added.
The strike was Israel’s first in Beirut since June and took place nearly year after a ceasefire was reached.
Israel claimed the military leader was killed “in response to Hezbollah’s repeated violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the 2024 ceasefire understandings, as well as the threat he posed to Israel and to regional stability.”
At least five others were killed in the strike, and 25 wounded.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Tabatabai a “mass murderer” with “blood on his hands” and said Israel will “not allow Hezbollah” to grow.
“I thank the IDF and the security forces who carried out a professional, precise, and successful operation today,” Netanyahu said.
“The policy that I am leading is completely clear: Under my leadership, the State of Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its strength, nor will we allow it to return to posing a threat to the State of Israel.”
The US had placed a $5 million bounty on Tabatabai.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued “targeted” strikes in the Gaza Strip, despite the US-backed ceasefire. In one strike at the end of October, it killed a member of the Islamic Jihad movement.
Both sides have accused the other of violating the agreement.
