Israel has conducted an airstrike on Beirut for the first time since June, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuring 25 others, as reported by Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. The Israeli military has indicated that the strike targeted Haytham Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of staff, and issued a warning to the group against rearming, following a year of relative peace since their last conflict. In light of the strike, which has drawn international attention amidst Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Lebanon, Hezbollah confirmed Tabatabai’s death and cautioned that this could escalate tensions. While Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have increased recently, the Lebanese government has refuted claims that Hezbollah is rearming, asserting that its armed forces require additional support to effectively manage the situation. President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon condemned the airstrike, urging the international community to intervene to protect Lebanon and its citizens, while also expressing willingness to engage in negotiations with Israel regarding the ongoing airstrikes and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.
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