ISTANBUL

The UN said Monday it was “seriously concerned” over an Israeli strike that targeted a residential area in southern Beirut, killing five people including Hezbollah chief of staff Haitham Tabtabai.

“I can tell you that we are seriously concerned about the deadly Israeli strike on a residential area in southern Beirut,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He urged all sides to avoid a wider escalation. “We urge all actors to exercise maximum restraint ... and remind the parties that civilians and civilian areas must not be targeted,” he said.

Dujarric also stressed the need to respect Lebanon’s "territorial integrity and sovereignty," calling on all sides to uphold a ceasefire deal that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024.

Tensions in southern Lebanon have been mounting for weeks, with the Israeli military intensifying near-daily air raids inside Lebanese territory, claiming to target Hezbollah members and infrastructure.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 331 people have been killed and 945 injured by Israeli fire since a ceasefire deal took effect on Nov. 27, 2024. The UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) also reported more than 10,000 Israeli air and ground violations.

Under the ceasefire, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon this January, but instead only partially pulled out and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.