The Israeli military carried out its first airstrike since early June targeting Hezbollah’s second-largest leader in southern Beirut.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Israel Defense Forces “attacked central Beirut, targeting Hezbollah’s chief of staff, who led the organization’s buildup and arms efforts.”
Israeli sources told CNN that the target of the attack was Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, but said it was not yet clear whether he was killed.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said one person was killed and 21 others injured in a strike between apartment buildings in a densely populated area in southern Beirut.
Images from the scene showed smoke coming from the fourth or fifth floor of an apartment building in a crowded area in southern Beirut.
Netanyahu ordered the attack on the recommendation of the defense minister and the Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff, his office said.
“We will continue to act strongly to prevent any threat to the people of the north and the state of Israel,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said, adding: “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have his hand cut off.”
An Israeli attack on southern Beirut in September 2024 killed Hezbollah’s longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, leaving a vacuum in the group’s military leadership. Israel also blew up pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members, killing dozens.
A ceasefire was agreed a year ago through US mediation, but Israeli forces continue to attack Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
The United States designated Tabatabai a terrorist in 2016, saying he was a key leader in Hezbollah’s forces “who has commanded the group’s special forces in both Syria and Yemen.”
The U.S. Rewards for Justice program has offered up to $5 million for information about Tabatabai.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah is to hand over heavy weapons and withdraw all personnel from south of the Litani River.
There has been little progress on disarmament, and Israeli officials have warned of increased military action unless the Lebanese government moves to rein in Hezbollah.
Earlier this month, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of “failing to demonstrate its rejection of any negotiated settlement between the two countries.”
