Israel carried out a targeted airstrike on Sunday in a southern suburb of Beirut, killing top military official of Hezbollah, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, the acting chief of staff, Israeli military confirmed.
In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was a precise and professional strike, emphasising that Israel would not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its forces.
“Tabtabai is a murderer. His hands are stained with the blood of many Israelis and Americans,” Netanyahu said.
“The policy I lead is crystal clear: Under my leadership, the State of Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power, and we will not allow it to return to pose a threat to the State of Israel.”
Netanyahu also called on the Lebanese government to take responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, saying it was the only way for Lebanon’s citizens to enjoy a secure future and for Israel and Lebanon to have stable relations.
He additionally praised U.S. President Donald Trump for designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, linking the group to broader regional instability.
The strike comes despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah a year ago and marks the first Israeli attack on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital in months. While Hezbollah has not officially confirmed Tabtabai’s death, senior official Mahmoud Qmati acknowledged that a central figure in the organisation had been targeted.
Speaking near the damaged building in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, Qmati warned that Israel had crossed a “red line” and said the group’s leadership would decide how to respond.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the international community to step in and prevent further escalation.
The strike highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and raises concerns about renewed instability in southern Lebanon and the wider region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the l...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringin...
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinar...
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has travelled to Baku to attend th...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
The United States is considering asking Israel to transfer part of the tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to help fund Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, according to five sources familiar with the discussions.
India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed on a framework for a strategic defence partnership, according to India’s foreign ministry.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
Thousands of fans turned out in Iran's capital Tehran for a massive farewell ceremony on Wednesday night for their national football team, wishing them success before their departure for the World Cup 2026 matches co-hosted by the United States and Mexico.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting for his political survival on Thursday (14 May) after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, saying he had “lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday, following a ceremonial welcome, with both leaders highlighting cooperation despite ongoing tensions.
China has launched the world’s first experiment to study how artificial human embryos develop in space, marking a major step in understanding whether humans could one day reproduce beyond Earth.
Every day, an elderly woman in China’s Shandong province looks forward to a video call from her son. He asks about her health, tells her he has been busy with work, and promises he will come home once he has saved enough money. She tells him she misses him. He tells her to take care of herself.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinary survival trick: when threatened, it creates the illusion that it has two heads.
The United States is considering asking Israel to transfer part of the tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to help fund Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, according to five sources familiar with the discussions.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment