Israel attacks Lebanon’s capital, says top Hezbollah official ‘eliminated’

The Israeli military has launched an attack on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut, killing at least five people and wounding 28 others, Lebanon’s health ministry says, calling it a “final toll”.

In a statement shortly on Sunday, the Israeli military said it “eliminated” Hezbollah’s chief of staff Haytham Ali Tabatabai in the strike on an apartment block in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office earlier said Tabatabai was the target of the attack. Israeli media said it was the military’s third attempt to kill him since last year’s war.

Hezbollah has yet to confirm if Tabatabai was injured or killed in the attack.

However, senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati confirmed a central figure from the group was targeted, saying Israel’s strike crossed a “red line” and that the group’s leadership was considering whether it would respond.
The Israeli attack took place despite a ceasefire that came into effect a year ago to end hostilities that had erupted into a full-blown war.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that two missiles were fired at the apartment building on al-Arid Street in Haret Hreik neighbourhood of Dahiyeh, and significant damage was inflicted on cars and surrounding buildings.

Ambulances arrived immediately at the scene and transported the injured to nearby hospitals, it said. A large plume of smoke could be seen in the busy neighbourhood, according to the local media.
One video widely circulated on social media showed dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike.