The IDF confirmed on Sunday that, guided by the Intelligence Directorate, it struck in the area of Beirut and eliminated the terrorist Haytham Ali Tabataba'i, Hezbollah’s Chief of General Staff.
Tabataba'i was a key operative and veteran in the terrorist organization. He joined its ranks in the 1980s and has since held a series of senior positions, including commanding the 'Radwan Force' Unit and serving as the head of Hezbollah’s operations in Syria. During his role in Syria, he further entrenched Hezbollah’s capabilities in Syria.
During the war, he was appointed commander of the organization’s operations array and was responsible for consolidating the operational picture and force build-up. During Operation “Northern Arrows,” after most of the military leadership was neutralized, he was effectively responsible for managing the combat against Israel.
At the end of Operation “Northern Arrows”, Tabatabai was appointed Hezbollah’s Chief of General Staff, and in this role, he led efforts to rebuild the organization. He commanded most of Hezbollah’s units and worked extensively to restore their readiness for war with Israel.
Throughout his years in Hezbollah, Tabatabai developed and expanded Hezbollah’s capabilities. He also played a significant role in developing the Radwan Unit. Tabatabai was part of Hezbollah’s senior leadership and, due to his connections and abilities, served as a significant source of knowledge and influence within Hezbollah.
The IDF pledged that it "will act against efforts to rebuild and rearm the Hezbollah terrorist organization and will operate to remove any threat posed to Israeli civilians."
At the same time, the military stressed that it "remains committed to the understandings reached between the State of Israel and Lebanon."
Earlier in the day, the Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed that the target of the strike in the Lebanese capital was Hezbollah Chief of Staff Haytham Ali Tabataba'i, who ranks second in the terror organization's chain of command, second only to the Secretary General, Naim Qassem. "A short while ago, in the heart of Beirut, the IDF attacked the Hezbollah Chief of Staff, who had been leading the terrorist organization's buildup and rearmament. Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the attack upon the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff. Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times," the Prime Minister's Office stated.
Tabataba'i was one of the senior commanders in the terror organization in recent years. In recent years, he oversaw Hezbollah's special forces. After the senior chain of command was eliminated, he became the organization's acting chief of staff and its most senior military figure.
Tabataba’i was wanted by the United States, with the State Department's Rewards for Justice program offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture.
Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on the strike: "We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the State of Israel. Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have his hand cut off. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are determined to continue the policy of maximum enforcement in Lebanon and anywhere else. We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7th."
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun responded to the strike: “The Israeli strike in Dahieh is further proof that Israel does not heed the repeated calls to halt its attacks. We once again call on the international community to assume its responsibility and intervene to stop the attacks in Lebanon and against its people. Israel refuses to implement international resolutions and rejects all efforts and initiatives proposed to end the escalation and restore stability."
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir oversaw the IDF strike in Dahieh from the Senior Command Post at the “Kirya” (Rabin) Base, together with the Head of the Operations Directorate, MG Itzik Cohen; the Head of the Operations Division, BG Yisrael Shomer; the Head of the Operations Brigade, BG Meni Liberty; and additional commanders.
“We struck the most senior commander in the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The strike was intended to prevent the organization from further strengthening its capabilities and to deliver a precise blow to those who attempt to harm the State of Israel," Zamir stated during the strike.
He added, "The IDF remains committed to the understandings agreed upon between the State of Israel and Lebanon, but we will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to strengthen or rearm, and we will act to remove any threat to the civilians of the State of Israel.”
On Saturday, the IDF eliminated Kamel Reza Karnabsh, a Hezbollah operative active in the Meifadon area of southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, the terrorist had been working to rebuild the organization’s activities in the region.
In another strike led by the 91st Division, another Hezbollah terrorist was eliminated in the area of the village of Khoula.
The IDF noted that the terrorist served as a local Hezbollah representative and was responsible for managing relations between the organization and local residents on military and economic matters, including the takeover of private property for terror purposes.