Killing Tabatabai, Israel Accuses Hezbollah Of Violating Ceasefire Agreement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (black glasses). (Source: Kobi Gideon/PMO)

JAKARTA - Israel said the airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon that killed Chief of Staff Hezbollah Haytham Ali Tabatabai were a response to the militant group's violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the attack responded to "Hezbollah's repeated violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and a 2024 ceasefire agreement, as well as threats it poses to Israel and regional stability.

Quoted from The Times of Israel November 24, the ministry said in a statement Israel "will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its military capabilities and once again threaten the security of Israel and its citizens. The organization's aggressive actions constitute a marked violation of international obligations and treaties."

The Lebanese government has failed to deal with Hezbollah's offenses, Israel said, while Hezbollah is trying to "recover and expand" its military capabilities.

"Israel is committed to fully implementing a ceasefire agreement and has reported hundreds of violations through an international mechanism led by the United States," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will continue to act to defend the State of Israel, its citizens, and regional stability, with determination, responsibility, and accuracy," the ministry added.

As previously reported, Israel launched a raid on Beirut, targeting an area known as the base of the Hezbollah group.

The Chief of Staff de Facto Hezbollah Haytham Ali Tabatabai was claimed by Israel to have died in the attack. After that, Hezbollah confirmed the death of Tabababai.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tabatabai was leading the terror group's efforts to re-armed itself.

"Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power," Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video statement hours after the Israeli Air Force killed Tabatabai in an airstrike.

He called the senior official Hezbollah a "mass killer" with the blood of many Israelis and Americans in his hands.

PM Netanyahu said he "expected the Lebanese government to fulfill its commitment to dismantling Hezbollah's weapons."

"Only in this way will every Lebanese citizen have a better future, and only in this way can a peaceful and safe neighboring relationship between Israel and Lebanon be established," he claimed.