Hezbollah's Chief of Staff Targeted/Israeli Army Attacks Beirut

2025-11-23 16:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hezbollah's chief of staff, Ali Tabatabai, in Beirut, despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since November 2024.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the attack targeted Tabatabai in the heart of the Lebanese capital, accusing him of leading the construction and arming of Hezbollah.

Netanyahu said he ordered the attack on the Hezbollah leader on the recommendation of Defense Minister Israel Katz and Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

Lebanon's official News Agency reported earlier that an Israeli aircraft had bombed a southern suburb of Beirut, causing injuries and significant material damage.

Israeli Army Radio also said that Tabatabai was the target of the Israeli attack in Beirut. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has yet to comment on the attack.

Tensions in southern Lebanon have been rising for weeks, with the Israeli military intensifying almost daily airstrikes inside Lebanese territory, claiming to target Hezbollah members and infrastructure.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 331 people have been killed and 945 injured by Israeli attacks since the ceasefire came into effect on November 27, 2024. The UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) also reported more than 10,000 air and ground violations by Israel.

According to the ceasefire, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon this January, but instead it only partially withdrew and continues to have a military presence at five border points. /CNA