JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel said on Sunday its forces had killed Haytham Ali Tabatabai, a senior Hezbollah military commander, in an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs that killed at least five. Hezbollah has yet to comment on the Israeli claim.

The Israeli military said the air force carried out the strike using intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate. Israel described Tabatabai as Hezbollah's de facto chief of staff. A veteran who joined the group in the 1980s, he previously led its elite Radwan Force and oversaw operations in Syria.

He was appointed chief of staff after Israel killed much of Hezbollah's senior military leadership during Operation Northern Arrows, the statement said. Israel added that Tabatabai had played a central role in rebuilding the group's forces and restoring its combat readiness.

"Tabatabai was a key source of knowledge and influence within Hezbollah," the military said. "Israel will continue to act against Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild and rearm."

Hezbollah did not immediately comment. The Israeli military said it remained committed to understandings reached with Lebanon, referring to the ceasefire agreed last November that halted large-scale Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and on Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least five people were killed and 25 wounded in the strike, which hit a residential apartment in the Haret Hreik district of southern Beirut.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike, calling it "another sign of disregard for repeated calls to halt attacks and implement international resolutions." He urged the international community to intervene to stop the strikes, ease regional tensions, and prevent further bloodshed.

Since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, ending roughly 13 months of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has launched several attacks in Beirut and carried out near-daily strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, saying they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah threats. Israel has also maintained forces in five positions along the border.

On Friday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli strikes and other violations had killed 331 people and wounded 945 since Nov. 28, 2024. Enditem