Israel said Sunday it carried out an airstrike in Beirut, first in months, aimed at Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Ali Tabatabai, despite a cease-fire that has been in place since November 2024.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that the attack targeted Tabatabai in the heart of Beirut, accusing him of leading "the buildup and armament" of Hezbollah.
Netanyahu said he ordered the strike on the Hezbollah leader on the recommendation of Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that it had "eliminated" Tabatabai, claiming that he commanded Hezbollah's Radwan Force Unit and served as the head of the group's operations in Syria.
Hezbollah separately confirmed Sunday evening that Tabatabai was killed in the Israeli airstrike.
