Til aviv(The COW News Digital )Israel has claimed responsibility for a major airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs, asserting that the attack killed Hezbollah’s acting Chief of Staff, Ali Tabatabai. The strike, carried out late Saturday, marks one of the most significant escalations in months between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.
According to international news agencies, the Israeli military stated that the operation targeted a building in the Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik, an area known as a stronghold of Hezbollah. Israeli officials claimed the strike was part of ongoing efforts to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its operational capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
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Hezbollah has not yet officially confirmed the death of Ali Tabatabai. However, senior Hezbollah figure Mahmoud Qomati told reporters near the targeted building that a “central commander” had indeed been struck. He described the airstrike as a “red line crossed” by Israel and declared that the group’s leadership would determine the nature, timing, and scale of the response.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the attack killed five people and injured at least 28 others. The multi-story building hit by the airstrike partially collapsed, with debris falling onto nearby vehicles and triggering panic among residents. Witnesses said people rushed out of surrounding structures fearing a secondary attack, a common occurrence in previous escalations between Israel and Hezbollah.
Ali Tabatabai had long been a key figure within Hezbollah. The United States imposed sanctions on him in 2016, labeling him a senior leader within the organization and offering a $5 million reward for information on his activities. The Israeli military described him as a crucial commander involved in preparing Hezbollah for future conflict with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this stance, stating that Israel would not allow Hezbollah to regain military strength. He urged the Lebanese government to uphold its commitments to disarm the group, accusing Hezbollah of dragging Lebanon into dangerous confrontations.
In contrast, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun appealed to the international community to intervene and pressure Israel to halt its attacks. He emphasized that continued Israeli strikes threaten regional stability and place Lebanese civilians at grave risk.
The incident comes at a time of heightened volatility across the Middle East, where multiple fronts have seen renewed violence. With Hezbollah vowing to decide its response and Israel reaffirming its readiness for confrontation, fears of a broader escalation continue to grow.
