Israel framed the strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs as an attempt to assassinate a senior Hezbollah commander — a claim denied by sources close to the movement — amid widening attacks that also killed a civilian in south Lebanon.
A powerful explosion rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday afternoon following an Israeli raid.
The Israeli occupation described it as a “precise” strike targeting a senior Hezbollah commander.
sraeli media claimed the intended target was Abu Haitham al-Tabtabai, also known as Abu Ali al-Tabtabai, and described him as Hezbollah’s second-in-command, though sources close to the movement told Al-Jazeera that this description was inaccurate, adding only that the attack was aimed at a senior military figure.
🚨⚡️BREAKING
Consequences of the Israeli bombing of Beirut that targeted Hashem Safieddine, the senior leader in Hezbollah; the United States had previously announced a reward of 5 million dollars for information about him, and states that he is the commander of special forces… pic.twitter.com/M3jpPS2kla
— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) November 23, 2025
Conflicting reports also emerged regarding US awareness of the strike. While some Israeli outlets claimed Tel Aviv had notified Washington beforehand, the US-based news outlet Axios quoted a senior US official saying the United States was informed only after the strike took place.
The same official added that Washington was aware Israel was preparing an escalation in Lebanon, but had not been told the timing. According to Israeli Army Radio, Israel’s Chief of Staff was summoned to oversee the operation following intelligence reports regarding the target’s location.
The attack in Beirut followed a series of Israeli strikes across Lebanon over the weekend, marking one of the most intense bombardments since the ceasefire agreement took effect.
On Saturday, Israeli warplanes carried out raids in southern and eastern Lebanon, striking highland areas around Tarayya and Shmestar in the Bekaa Valley, as well as locations in the Jabal al-Rafee area, the outskirts of Sojod, and the al-Naqra valley near Kfar Hamam.
Strikes were also reported in Iqlim al-Tuffah, al-Jarmaq, al-Mahmoudiya, Kfar Hamam, and the al-Jabbour region in successive waves. An Israeli drone later targeted a vehicle on a side road between Majdal Selm and Shaqra.
BREAKING: In a major escalation, Israeli warplanes launch an airstrike targeting the Dahieh district of the Lebanese capital Beirut. pic.twitter.com/EupyvjZjbD
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 23, 2025
On Sunday, a Lebanese civilian was killed in a separate Israeli drone strike on the town of Aita al-Shaab in the southern Bint Jbeil district, according to Al Mayadeen.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the attack targeted a car inside the town. Another drone dropped a bomb near a historic spring in Pdaisseh, also in the south.
Civil defense teams reported that Saturday was among the deadliest days since the ceasefire agreement was signed, saying 21 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that Israeli forces would continue to strike targets in both Lebanon and Gaza, declaring that his government would “do whatever is necessary” to prevent Hezbollah and Hamas from regaining strength.
(PC, AJA, Al Mayadeen)
