HARET HREIK, Lebanon — Israel on Sunday struck Lebanon's capital for the first time since June, saying it killed Hezbollah's chief of staff Haytham Tabtabai and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild a year after their latest war.

Hezbollah is rebuilding its arsenal in southern Lebanon, violating a fragile ceasefire with Israel as tensions rise along the northern border amid daily IDF strikes.

Watch live entertainment at home with VEEPS. Get 30% discount.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Thursday that his country is ready to negotiate with Israel and will seek US assistance to initiate talks, as Israeli airstrikes intensify against Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The escalation against Hezbollah comes amid the group’s ongoing efforts to block its disarmament and disrupt any diplomatic initiative toward broader Israeli-Lebanese peace talks. President Trump, in his speech before the Knesset,