Beirut, Lebanon – Palestinian factions have strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike that targeted a densely populated residential area in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday. The attack resulted in the death of five people and injuries to 28 others, prompting accusations of a war crime and a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
The Israeli military announced that the strike successfully assassinated Haytham Ali Tabatabai, identified as a senior Hezbollah commander. Israeli media outlets reported that the operation was carried out in coordination with the United States, though the exact timing of this coordination remains disputed.
Hamas described the airstrike as a “treacherous aggression” aimed at dragging Lebanon and the region into a new confrontation. Similarly, Islamic Jihad characterized the targeting of a civilian area as a “war crime” and a dangerous escalation. Other Palestinian groups, including the Mujahideen Movement, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Resistance Committees, denounced the operation as a violation of ceasefire agreements and a US-Israeli effort to impose “new rules of engagement” on Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that targeting the southern suburb on Independence Day demonstrates Israel’s “disregard” for calls to halt its attacks. A Hezbollah official confirmed that the strike targeted a “key military figure” and that a response is being considered.
The airstrike occurs amidst an ongoing escalation that began last October, during which Israel intensified its strikes in Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement. Reports suggest that Israel is preparing for a new offensive against the country.
A ceasefire agreement ended the aggression initiated by Israel in Lebanon in October 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024. The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 people and injuries to approximately 17,000 others. During this war, Israel occupied five Lebanese hills in the south. The agreement stipulated that Israel would withdraw from these areas within 60 days, but it has since reneged on its commitments and continues to occupy other Lebanese territories that it has held for decades.
