Israel targets Hezbollah's top military commander in Beirut
The Israeli Air Force carried out a targeted strike in Beirut on Sunday in an attempt to assassinate Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s top military commander, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced. The attack marks the most significant Israeli operation against Hezbollah leaders since a ceasefire was reached a year ago and the first airstrike in Beirut in five months.
The strike comes amid a recent surge in Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Israel says aims to prevent the militant group from rearming and rebuilding its military capabilities. Israeli intelligence officials have identified Tabatabai as a leading voice within Hezbollah opposing the Lebanese government’s efforts to disarm the group. They claim he has actively pushed to end the ceasefire and resume hostilities with Israel.
Netanyahu said the strike targeted Hezbollah’s military chief of staff, “who led the terror organization's build-up and armament efforts,” and added that the operation was conducted on the recommendation of the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff. “Israel is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time,” he said.
The missiles struck the fourth and fifth floors of a 10-story building in a southern suburb of Beirut, an area considered a Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanese media reported one person killed and five wounded in the attack.
Tabatabai has long been a target of international authorities. The U.S. government has sought his capture for years, offering a $5 million reward for information leading to him, and designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2016. Israeli officials say he is the second-highest figure in Hezbollah after political leader Naeem Qassem and became the group’s military leader following the assassination of his predecessors by Israel.
While Israel carried out the strike independently, U.S. officials said Washington was informed immediately after the operation. Although U.S. authorities had known for days that Israel planned to escalate strikes in Lebanon, they were not aware of the timing, location, or specific target beforehand.
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