In a significant escalation of tensions, Israel conducted its first strike on Beirut since June, targeting and killing Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s most senior military figure. This marks the highest-ranking Hezbollah official to be eliminated since the ceasefire in Lebanon was established a year ago. Tabatabai, also known as Abu Ali, had risen through the ranks to become Hezbollah’s top military chief after Israel decimated much of the group’s senior leadership. During last year’s conflict, he headed Hezbollah’s operations division and was later appointed chief of staff following the ceasefire. Hezbollah mourned him as a foundational leader who ensured the group’s strength and victories. The Israeli military stated that Tabatabai had been instrumental in restoring Hezbollah’s readiness for war. Born of Iranian and Lebanese descent, Tabatabai joined Hezbollah in the 1980s, holding various senior positions, including leadership of the elite Radwan Force. He played a pivotal role in military operations against Israel since the 1990s, including the 2006 war, and later oversaw Hezbollah’s interventions in Yemen and Syria. The US had designated him a terrorist in 2016, offering a $5 million reward for information. His assassination has sparked warnings from Hezbollah, with the group’s executive council head, Ali Damoush, stating that Israel had made a grave mistake. The strike, which hit a densely populated area in Beirut’s southern suburbs, killed five and wounded 28. Lebanese security analyst Ali Rizk views this as part of a broader Israeli escalation, highlighting Israel’s intelligence superiority and its strategy to weaken Hezbollah without engaging in full-scale war. Recent weeks have seen increased Israeli operations in Lebanon, with over 300 killed since the ceasefire, including civilians. Israel’s actions, including occupying strategic positions and conducting daily raids, aim to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. Despite Hezbollah’s reduced arsenal and leadership losses, Israeli officials remain cautious of the group’s potential to inflict damage. Rizk concludes that Israel seeks unrestrained operational freedom in Lebanon, mirroring its actions in southern Syria.
Haytham Ali Tabatabai: The Hezbollah commander who cut his teeth in Syria and Yemen
