Hezbollah Commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai Killed in Israeli Strike

The killing of Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of staff, in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs has renewed tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. His death comes nearly a year after a ceasefire halted intense hostilities, raising questions about the future stability of the truce.

Strike on Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

The targeted apartment building lies in a densely populated neighbourhood long considered a Hezbollah stronghold. The strike killed at least five people and injured more than two dozen, according to Lebanese authorities. This operation marks the most significant assassination of a senior Hezbollah figure since the ceasefire began, signalling a sharp escalation in Israel’s targeting tactics.

Role in Hezbollah’s Military Structure

Born in 1968 to an Iranian father and Lebanese mother, Tabatabai belonged to Hezbollah’s second generation. He joined the organisation in the 1980s and rose steadily through the ranks. His career expanded as older commanders were eliminated during the 2023-24 conflict, eventually placing him in charge of operations. After the truce, he was elevated to chief of staff, tasked with rebuilding military capacity and restoring operational readiness.

Regional Operations and International Spotlight

Tabatabai oversaw deployments to Syria and Yemen, where Hezbollah supported allied forces. He headed the ‘Yemen file’ before returning to Lebanon in mid-2025 following the killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr. His activities placed him at the centre of an Iran-backed network of armed groups. The United States designated him a terrorist in 2016, alleging that he supervised special forces operations abroad and offered a reward for information on his whereabouts.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Haytham Ali Tabatabai was born in 1968 in Lebanon.
• He became Hezbollah’s chief of staff after the 2023-24 war.
• The US designated him a terrorist in 2016 with a US$5 million reward.
• He oversaw Hezbollah operations in Syria and Yemen.

Political Reactions and Possible Repercussions

Lebanon condemned the strike as a breach of ceasefire obligations, while Hezbollah vowed to assess its response. Local leaders warned that the attack could trigger wider escalation across Lebanon. The incident occurred as Beirut prepares for an upcoming papal visit and follows another deadly Israeli strike in Sidon days earlier, deepening concerns about the fragile calm along the border.