Extract from ABC News
In short:
An Israeli air strike hit Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on Sunday, killing Hezbollah military chief Haytham Tabtabai and four others.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would "continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to threaten us".
What's next?
Confirming Mr Tabtabai was killed by the strike, Hezbollah said the attack by Israel "crosses a new red line" and vowed to continue its fight against Israel and the US.
Israel has carried out its first air strike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut since June, killing Hezbollah military chief Haytham Tabtabai and four others.
The strike hit a main road in Beirut's southern suburbs, an area known for housing Hezbollah officials.
Hezbollah confirmed Mr Tabtabai's death late on Sunday evening, local time, in a statement to satellite TV channel Al Manar, which it owns and operates.
An undated photo released by Hezbollah on Sunday shows senior commander Haytham Tabtabai. (Hezbollah Military Media via AP)
Hezbollah official Mahmud Qomati earlier told reporters gathered in front of the strike location that the attack "crosses a new red line".
Lebanon's health ministry said five people were killed and 28 injured in the strike, describing the count as the "final toll".
Five people were killed and 28 were injured in the Israeli strike, which also damaged buildings and vehicles.
Residents near the site of the attack heard the roar of warplanes before the blast, according to the Reuters news agency, who had a reporter in the area.
People rushed out of their apartment buildings following the strike out of fear there would be further attacks.
The US imposed sanctions on Mr Tabtabai in 2016, identifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and offering a reward of up to $US5 million ($7.7 million) for information on him.
Pressure to disarm Hezbollah
Israel and the United States have been piling the pressure on Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group.
The Lebanese military has issued a government-approved plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year across the country.
However, Israel says Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon, which the Lebanese government has denied.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday morning, before the strike, that Israel would continue to fight "terrorism" on several fronts.
"We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to threaten us,"he said.
Israeli air strikes intensified over southern Lebanon
Earlier this month, Israel stepped up air strikes in southern Lebanon as it pressed a campaign of near-daily attacks, which it said was designed to block a military revival by Hezbollah in the border area.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rearm since a US-backed ceasefire last year.
The group says it has abided by requirements for it to end its military presence in the border region near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.
AP/Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment