Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Hezbollah verifies murder of its senior commander by Israeli attack


(MENAFN) Hezbollah confirmed Sunday evening that its senior commander, Ali Tabatabai, was killed in an Israeli airstrike carried out in Beirut.

In an official statement, the group described Tabatabai as “a key military commander.”

Hezbollah also said that four additional members of the organization died in the same strike.

According to general statements from the Israeli military, the operation targeted Beirut’s southern suburb and resulted in the killing of Tabatabai, despite a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since November 2024.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he approved the strike following recommendations from the defense minister and the military chief of staff, accusing Tabatabai of leading “the buildup and armament” of Hezbollah.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that five people were killed and 28 wounded in the attack.

Israel has launched several strikes on Beirut’s southern districts since the ceasefire, including one in June.

Tensions across southern Lebanon have been steadily rising, with the Israeli military carrying out near-daily airstrikes inside Lebanese territory, asserting that its operations are aimed at Hezbollah fighters and strategic sites.

Based on figures from the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 331 people have been killed and 945 injured by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began on Nov. 27, 2024. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has additionally recorded more than 10,000 air and ground violations.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel was expected to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon in January. However, it carried out only a partial pullback and continues to maintain troops at five border posts.

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