Hezbollah Leader Targeted in Beirut; 5 Dead in Israeli Raid

Beirut was struck by an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, claiming the lives of five individuals and injuring 28. The operation, reportedly aimed at high-ranking Hezbollah leader Haytham Ali Tabatabai, occurred despite an existing ceasefire, representing the first such attack on the city in months. Tabatabai is recognized as the deputy leader of the militant group. The decision to proceed with the strike was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following consultations with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. A statement from Netanyahu’s office indicated the strike hit the Hezbollah Chief-of-Staff, a key figure in the organization’s military buildup, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to acting against its adversaries wherever necessary. Hezbollah has condemned the strike, calling it an attack on a civilian area devoid of military presence. The death toll is expected to potentially increase as rescue efforts continue.