The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to attack Beirut's southern suburbs on 23/11, targeting "Hezbollah's chief of staff." The statement did not confirm if the target was killed.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later declared Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah's chief of staff, was killed in the strike.

Mahmud Qomati, a Hezbollah official, confirmed Israel targeted a senior commander of the armed group, but the outcome of the attack remained unclear. He did not identify the individual, stating the strike "crossed a new red line."

A damaged building in Beirut's southern suburbs after Israel's strike on 23/11. *AFP*

Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported 5 fatalities and 28 injuries after an apartment building in Beirut's southern suburbs was hit. The victims' identities were not released. This strike marked the first time in months that Israel had targeted the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, an area known for housing many Hezbollah officials.

A senior US official, speaking anonymously, stated Tel Aviv did not notify Washington in advance of the attack but provided an immediate update afterward. Another source indicated the US had known for several days that Israel planned to escalate strikes in Lebanon.

The US sanctioned Tabatabai in 2016, identifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and offering a 5 million USD reward for information leading to him. Israeli media reported he was considered the group's lanh dao thu hai, after leader Naim Qassem.

Israel's hai-year campaign against Hezbollah has resulted in the deaths of leader Hassan Nasrallah, most of its military leadership, and approximately 5,000 members. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached at the end of 2024, Israel regularly conducts airstrikes in southern Lebanon, citing the need to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities.

Location of Beirut. *RANE graphic*

Tel Aviv accuses Hezbollah of seeking to rearm after the ceasefire, while the armed group maintains it complied with the agreement by ending its military presence near the Israeli border.

Before the strike, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared Israel would continue "fighting terrorism" on multiple fronts. He emphasized, "We will do everything necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to threaten Israel."

Pham Giang (According to Reuters, AFP, Times of Israel)