Israel Eliminates Hezbollah’s Second-in-Command in Beirut Strike

Israel Eliminates Hezbollah’s Second-in-Command in Beirut Strike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), on Sunday afternoon, carried out an airstrike in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, eliminating senior Hezbollah leader Haytham Ali Tabatabai.

“The IDF conducted a targeted strike, resulting in the killing of Hezbollah’s second-in-command and military commander, Ali Tabatabai, in Beirut on Sunday,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

Israeli official to @Jerusalem_Post: Hezbollah’s No. 2 has been killed

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) November 23, 2025

Ali Tabatabai, who also oversaw Hezbollah operations in Syria and Yemen, was wanted by the U.S. as a terrorist with a $5 million bounty. “The Department of State designated Tabatabai as a specially designated global terrorist in October of 2016,” The Times of Israel noted.

Hezbollah’s second-in-command Haytham Ali Tabatabai likely killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

We put them on our rewards for justice list; Israel delivers the justice. pic.twitter.com/6xRsiMRQXP

— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) November 23, 2025

In a short statement, the IDF acknowledged conducting “a precise strike targeting a key Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut.”

⭕️A short while ago, the IDF conducted a precise strike targeting a key Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 23, 2025

Ali Tabatabai was second-in-command to Naim Qassem, who replaced Hassan Nasrallah almost a year ago. “Israeli officials say [Ali Tabatabai] serves as the terror group’s de facto chief of staff and is considered the number two figure after Secretary General Naim Qassem.” Tel Aviv-based ILTV posted on its Telegram channel. “The strike in the heart of the Lebanese capital highlights Israel’s determination to eliminate top operatives who threaten Israeli civilians.”

The apartment where Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai was targeted https://t.co/FtD7arKPFd pic.twitter.com/g6IZfiIpXY

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 23, 2025

Israel’s Ynetnews reported the details of the Beirut strike:

Israel struck Hezbollah’s acting military chief, Haytham ‘Ali Tabataba’i, in the heart of Beirut on Sunday, the Prime Minister’s Office said. The statement said the operation targeted the commander who oversaw the group’s military buildup, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strike on the recommendation of the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff. “Israel is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time,” the statement said.

The strike hit an apartment in the Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Residents reported hearing the sound of warplanes moments before the blast. Many fled their apartment buildings fearing additional strikes. Medical sources said at least two dozen people were wounded and taken to hospitals in the area.

Tabataba’i, a senior and secretive figure within the group, has long been considered one of Hezbollah’s most powerful military commanders. The United States designated him an international terrorist in 2016. Reports say he commanded Hezbollah’s special forces in Syria and Yemen, and no verified photograph of him is publicly known.

IDF conducts targeted strike in Beirut against Hezbollah operative. The assassination target is Ali Tabatabai, the de facto Hezbollah Chief of Staff (one of the two highest-ranking military commanders in the organization). He is current co-commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan… pic.twitter.com/0XnHCEUTRr

— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) November 23, 2025

The newspaper Israel Hayom detailed Ali Tabatabai’s terrorist career:

The US government previously offered a $5 million reward for information on him. This commander headed the organization’s special forces in Syria and Yemen. While in this role, he provided assistance to pro-Iranian militias and the Houthis.

Haytham ‘Ali Tabataba’i was designated an international terrorist with a special classification as early as 2016. The US government’s website stated, “Tabataba’i’s actions in Syria and Yemen are part of a larger Hizballah effort to provide training, materiel, and personnel in support of its destabilizing regional activities.”

Haytham Ali Tabatabai is described as “Hezbollah’s chief of staff.” During the war on the northern front, the previous commanders considered “chiefs of staff” – Fouad Shukr and Ibrahim Aqil – were assassinated.

https://t.co/9pFN3SFvkE

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) November 23, 2025

Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged ordering the strike against the senior Hezbollah leader, who was responsible for the ongoing terrorist buildup on Israel’s border with Lebanon.

The Israel National News/Arutz Sheva reported official statements:

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. “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.” (…)

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.”

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