Israel kills Hezbollah's top military commander in Beirut airstrike
Illustrative photo: Hezbollah militants in Lebanon (Getty Images)
Israel killed Hezbollah's so-called chief of staff. The militant was eliminated in an airstrike on Lebanese territory, reports The Times of Israel.
Haytham Ali Tabatabai, who effectively commanded Hezbollah after most of the group's senior leadership had been eliminated, was killed on November 23 in an airstrike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
Tabatabai has been wanted in the US since 2016, with a $5 million reward offered for information leading to his capture. He was a Lebanese national and a long-time militant. He previously commanded Hezbollah's elite Radwan forces, a unit designed to spearhead an incursion into Israel.
Israel attempted to kill Tabatabai in 2015 in southern Syria. The strike instead killed Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah commander.
The Times of Israel notes that by late 2024, Tabatabai had effectively been promoted to Hezbollah's chief military commander. Israel had eliminated most of the group's top leadership by that time.
Israel vs. Hezbollah: What is known
Israel and Hezbollah have been in conflict since the early 1980s. The group operates from Lebanese territory, which has led to repeated flare-ups and military escalations. In 2024, Hezbollah suffered a heavy defeat and lost most of its leadership.
Despite the group's losses, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to carry out airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. In October, the IDF struck several sites, including a militant training camp, facilities producing precision-guided missiles in the Bekaa Valley, and other military infrastructure.
Earlier, in July, the Israeli military targeted Hezbollah's largest factory for precision-guided missiles. The facility was also located inside Lebanon.
