Recent events in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of four more Palestinians as Israel prepares for potential retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah following an airstrike in Beirut over the weekend. The strike in Beirut led to the death of Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Haytham Tabtabai, prompting discussions within the Hezbollah leadership about possible responses.
Israel defended its actions by labeling Tabtabai as the “master of murders,” citing his involvement in re-arming Hezbollah. Reports suggest that Hezbollah’s Iranian backers have provided substantial supplies, totaling over £1 billion, to the militant group.
The strike, the first in Lebanon’s capital since June, resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left at least 25 others injured. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai’s death and issued threats of further escalations just ahead of a scheduled visit by Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the country’s commitment to protecting its residents, stating that they will take strong actions against any threats. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s senior official Mahmoud Qmati condemned Israel’s strike as crossing a “red line” and mentioned that a response was under consideration.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has now claimed over 70,000 lives and left 170,863 individuals wounded since it began in October 2023. The tension escalated when Hamas initiated attacks in southern Israel, resulting in casualties and abductions. Additionally, Hamas fighters remain hidden in Rafah tunnels in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have intensified recently, with pressure from Israel and the United States on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Israel alleges that Hezbollah is rebuilding its military capabilities, a claim denied by the Lebanese government which supports disarming the group.
Hezbollah has refrained from attacking Israel since the ceasefire, except for a minor incident in December involving rocket fire. Tabtabai, who led Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Unit, was seen as a successor to Ibrahim Aqil, further complicating the situation.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement and called for international intervention to halt the attacks. Lebanon expressed readiness to negotiate with Israel to end airstrikes and reiterated its commitment to disarming non-state actors like Hezbollah.
Israel and Hezbollah have a history of conflicts, with the most recent war significantly weakening Hezbollah. The Israeli army has taken disciplinary actions against top officials for failures during previous attacks, emphasizing the need for command responsibility and accountability.