Israel carried out an airstrike in a southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday that killed Ali Tabtabai, one of Hezbollah’s most senior military figures, according to statements from both sides. The strike hit Haret Hreik, a stronghold of the Iran-backed group, marking the first attack near the Lebanese capital in months despite a truce arranged by Washington late last year.
The death of Tabtabai, who served as Hezbollah’s acting chief of staff, represents one of the most significant Israeli operations since the November 2024 ceasefire. The attack risks destabilising the already fragile lull in hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese group.
Hezbollah confirmed his death in a statement that praised him as “the great jihadist commander” who remained focused on confronting Israel “until the last moment of his blessed life”. The group did not specify his exact duties, though the United States sanctioned him in 2016 as a key military planner and offered a reward of up to five million dollars for information on him.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that five people were killed in the strike and twenty-eight others were wounded. The blast tore through a multi-storey building and sent rubble onto a busy road. Residents fled their homes, fearing another round of strikes, a Reuters reporter observed at the scene.
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A senior Hezbollah official, Mahmoud Qmati, described the attack as a “red line” and said the group’s leadership would decide on a response. “Our position will come after a full assessment,” he said while standing near the damaged structure.
The Israeli military said Tabtabai had played a central role in building and directing Hezbollah’s operational forces. In its announcement, Israel said he “commanded most of Hezbollah’s units and worked hard to restore them to readiness for war with Israel”.
Israeli spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian was asked whether the United States had been informed before the strike. “Israel makes decisions independently,” she said.
The attack comes just a week before Pope Leo is set to arrive in Lebanon for his first foreign visit, a trip many Lebanese citizens had hoped would symbolise a more stable period for the country.
The November ceasefire aimed to end a year of cross-border fire that followed Hezbollah’s attack on Israeli positions a day after the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023. Although Hezbollah has not fired on Israel since the ceasefire began, Israel has continued near-daily strikes on targets across Lebanon, claiming the group is attempting to rebuild its capabilities.
Israel says it is still targeting weapons depots, fighters, and logistical networks. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have intensified these operations, saying the group is regrouping in the south.
Lebanon, however, accuses Israel of repeatedly breaching the truce through continuing airstrikes and the occupation of five southern posts on Lebanese land. President Joseph Aoun urged international actors to act immediately to stop Israeli attacks. He has said he is open to talks but has not received any favourable response from Israeli officials.