Israel launched an airstrike on a residential apartment building in Haret Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut on November 23, killing Heytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah's chief of staff and wounding 21 others, Israeli media reported. 

Israel's military said the strike targeted Hezbollah's chief of staff, without providing further details. The attack caused extensive damage to the area and affected neighbouring commercial establishments, Hezbollah-linked Al-Manar reported.

Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported, citing an Israeli source, that the attack was coordinated with the US, which had previously opposed any military operation in Beirut.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation confirmed, citing a political source, that Tel Aviv had notified the United States prior to carrying out the strike. Israeli Channel 14 reported that the prime minister and defence minister had given official approval for the attack.

Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighbourhood, with video footage showing dozens of people crowded around the strike site, which appeared to be on the fourth floor of an apartment building. The building remained standing after the strike, which caused debris to fall on cars parked below.

"This is definitely a civilian area and void of any military presence, especially the neighbourhood where we stand," Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar told reporters near the scene. Ammar did not provide details on who the attack targeted.

Ambulance and civil defence teams worked to evacuate the wounded from the targeted location. Gunshots could be heard to disperse crowds as rescue workers and firefighters reached the apartment building. The Lebanese military cordoned off the area.

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