Israel targets Hezbollah chief in Beirut strike, casualties rise
Israel targets Hezbollah chief in Beirut strike, casualties rise
Israel hits Beirut's southern suburbs targeting Hezbollah's chief of staff Ali Tabtabai, with casualties reported as tensions escalate in the region.
Israel carried out an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs, aiming at Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Ali Tabtabai, according to an Israeli official. The attack marked the first major strike in months on the city’s southern district, long known as a stronghold for the Iran-aligned group. Local residents described thunderous sounds and a powerful blast as the strike hit a main road in the area. Early casualty figures cited at least two people killed and about two dozen wounded, with hospitals receiving the injured amid the chaos of the aftermath.
The strike’s target was identified by an Israeli source briefed on the operation and a Lebanese security official. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the operation but did not state whether Tabtabai was killed. The move underscores Israel’s willingness to escalate pressure on Hezbollah while maintaining deniability about specific casualty outcomes. In parallel, one senior US official said Washington was not notified in advance, with the administration informed only after the strike occurred, while another official noted that the US had known for days that Israel planned to escalate actions in Lebanon.
Photos circulating afterward appeared to indicate the use of widely banned cluster munitions remnants, though verification was ongoing. The incident comes amid a broader pattern of Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets over the past two years, which have claimed the lives of senior figures and thousands of fighters and sparked fears of wider regional confrontation. Hezbollah has not issued an immediate public response to the strike.
Netanyahu addressed his cabinet on Sunday, insisting that Israel would continue to combat terrorism on multiple fronts and take all necessary steps to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its capability to threaten Israel. The Beirut strike adds a new and dangerous chapter to a long-running conflict that has repeatedly spilled beyond the borders, threatening civilians and regional stability.
As the situation develops, residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs remain on edge, with emergency responders trying to avert a broader humanitarian impact while regional and international actors monitor for any signs of further escalation.
Cover image source: 20 Killed in Israeli Strikes as Israel and Hamas Trade Blame Over Truce 🔗
