New Delhi, Nov. 24 -- Israel said it killed Hezbollah's military chief, Abu Ali Al-Tabtabai, in an airstrike on Beirut's Dahieh district, signaling a sharp escalation as a nearly year-old ceasefire with Lebanon faces growing strain.

The Israeli army described Al-Tabtabai as a key figure in Hezbollah's hierarchy, second only to Secretary-General Naim Qassem.

"He was part of Hezbollah's senior leadership and, due to his connections and abilities, served as a significant source of knowledge and influence within Hezbollah," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

The daytime strike killed five civilians and injured 28, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to thwart Al-Tabt...