A major Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Sunday has claimed at least five lives and left 28 people injured. The precision strike reportedly focused on Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, a move that represents Israel’s most significant operation in the Lebanese capital since June. The attack occurred despite ongoing ceasefire efforts, underscoring the volatile security situation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally approved the strike upon the recommendation of his Defense Minister, Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. His office stated that the IDF successfully targeted the Hezbollah Chief-of-Staff, who was instrumental in the group’s rearmament, and vowed continued action to achieve Israel’s aims. Hezbollah has denounced the strike as an assault on innocent civilians in a non-military zone. Lebanese authorities are continuing rescue operations, with concerns that the number of fatalities could climb.
