5 including Hezbollah leader killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon

Israel has killed five people, including a senior Hezbollah leader, in a strike on the south-western suburbs of Beirut. The Israeli army confirmed the attack on Sunday (November 23), and Hezbollah later acknowledged the death of its commander.

According to the Israeli military, the slain Hezbollah leader was Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai, the group’s Chief of Staff, a position responsible for several key operational duties.

A report by Arab News described al-Tabatabai as Hezbollah’s second most important figure.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said at least five people were killed and 28 injured in the strike, which targeted a residential building in the densely populated Dahiyeh district.

Confirming al-Tabatabai’s death, Hezbollah said Israel had crossed a “serious red line”.

The strike comes despite an ongoing ceasefire between the two sides, brokered by the United States and France in November last year. This is Israel’s first attack in southern Beirut in several months.

Israeli officials claim Hezbollah is attempting to rebuild its military strength, smuggling weapons into Lebanon and increasing production of explosive drones as alternatives to rockets and missiles — developments they say could heighten regional tensions.