Israel carried out an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, targeting one of Hezbollah’s most senior military figures in what marks a significant escalation nearly a year after a ceasefire paused months of cross-border clashes.
Hours after the strike, the Israeli military announced that Haytham Ali Tabatabai, widely regarded as Hezbollah’s chief of staff, had been killed. Lebanese health officials reported at least five deaths and 28 injuries, saying multiple missiles hit a building in the Haret Hreik district, a densely populated Hezbollah stronghold.
Hezbollah later confirmed the death of Tabatabai, describing him as a “great commander,” while avoiding specific details about his role. Footage circulating online showed heavy damage, shattered buildings, and emergency teams working at the scene.
The strike follows a surge in Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon this month. Israel says the operations are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities near the border and pressuring Lebanese authorities to speed up steps required under last year’s ceasefire, including curbing the group’s weaponry.
Before the attack, Israel’s prime minister said the country would continue acting against groups it views as threats, vowing to prevent Hezbollah from regaining strength. After the strike, his office stated that Israeli forces had targeted a key figure responsible for the group’s military expansion.
Despite the operation, Israeli officials insisted they remain committed to the ceasefire agreement.
US officials said Israel did not provide advance notice of the strike. They said Washington was informed shortly afterward, though they had been aware that Israel intended to intensify operations in Lebanon.
Tabatabai, 58, joined Hezbollah shortly after its formation in the 1980s and survived a previous Israeli assassination attempt in 2015. He later became a central commander for Hezbollah’s foreign operations, playing roles in Syria alongside forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad and in Yemen, where he was involved in training Houthi fighters. The US previously sanctioned him and offered a multimillion-dollar reward for information on his activities.
He was among the few senior commanders who avoided Israel’s sweeping campaign against Hezbollah leadership during the 2023–24 conflict that erupted after Hamas launched its October 7 attack in southern Israel. By the end of that war, most of Hezbollah’s top military figures had been killed, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Lebanese authorities condemned Sunday’s strike and urged stronger international intervention to halt Israeli military actions. The president said Lebanon expected the global community to “act decisively” to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.
Regional analysts have warned in recent weeks that Lebanon has become the most vulnerable point in the broader conflict, with several commentators predicting the likelihood of a major escalation involving Hezbollah.
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