BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel carried out an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday, targeting a high-ranking official from the militant group Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire between the two sides brokered by the United States a year ago.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack, the first in Beirut in months, targeted the chief of staff of the Iran-aligned Lebanese group. An Israeli source briefed on the attack and a Lebanese source said Hezbollah’s Ali Tabtabai was the target.
The United States imposed sanctions on Tabtabai in 2016, identifying him as a top Hezbollah leader and offering a reward of up to $5 million for information about him.
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At least four people were killed in the attack that also injured two dozen people who were taken to nearby hospitals, medical sources said. Hezbollah had no immediate comment.
It was not immediately clear whether Tabtabai was killed.
Following the attack, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the international community to intervene to stop the Israeli attacks and prevent further deterioration of the security situation.
Israel has carried out almost daily attacks in Lebanon since the ceasefire, targeting what it says are Hezbollah weapons depots, the group’s efforts to rebuild and individual fighters. However, targeted attacks on senior officials like Tabtabai have been rare since the ceasefire took effect in November 2024.
The attack hit a main road in the suburb of Haret Hreik, where residents told Reuters they heard the roar of warplanes before the explosion.
People ran out of their buildings in fear of further attacks, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.
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“Israel continues to insist on the full implementation of the ceasefire agreements with Lebanon, while taking steps to ensure our security,” Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told reporters after the attack.
‘We will not allow Hezbollah, the terrorist organization, to recover and rebuild its strength and threaten Israel from anywhere inside Lebanon.’
Asked whether Israel had notified the US before carrying out the attack, Bedrosian said Israel acts independently.
