Israel kills Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai
Israel’s military has killed the militant group Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haitham Ali al-Tabtabai, in an air strike on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. It described him as a veteran of the group who had held a series of senior positions.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least five people were killed and 28 others wounded in the strike, which hit an apartment building in the densely populated Dahieh district. In a statement after the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power and will not allow it to once again pose a threat to Israel. He said he expects the Lebanese government to fulfil its commitment to disarm Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has confirmed Tabtabai’s death, adding that Israel had crossed a red line in carrying out the strike. Israeli officials say Hezbollah has been trying to rebuild its military capabilities, is smuggling weapons into Lebanon and stepping up the production of explosive drones as an alternative to rockets and missiles, and there are growing fears of an escalation of hostilities.
