Israel eliminates Tabtabai, one of Hezbollah's military masterminds
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed the death of Hezbollah's chief of staff, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, during an attack in the suburbs of Beirut, increasing tension on the Lebanese border. The precision strike, ordered expressly by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, left five dead and 28 wounded.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Israeli Army spokesman Avichai Adraee, who said that ‘the State of Israel has succeeded in eliminating the leading Hezbollah terrorist’. Subsequently, the Iranian-funded terrorist organisation confirmed his death, emphasising the ‘great role he played’ in their fight against Israel.
However, the Israeli incursion has been strongly criticised by Lebanese Prime Minister Joseph Aoun. ‘The attack on the suburbs of Beirut is further proof that Israel is ignoring the repeated ceasefires against Lebanon,’ he said. He also highlighted Israel's constant refusals to comply with Lebanese requests.
The attack is part of Israel's strategy to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. Israeli intelligence reports indicated that Tabtabai was actively involved in missions in Syria and Yemen as the leader of the organisation's elite forces, Radwan.
The death of Hezbollah's chief of staff weakens the chain of command, one of the IDF's objectives in disarming the terrorist group. It also sends a clear message that the possibility of rearmament, which could lead to a resurgence of the conflict, will not be tolerated.
Who was Tabtabai, Hezbollah's last leader?
Tabtabai's death joins that of nearly a hundred Hezbollah and Hamas officials and leaders killed by the IDF since the war began after the attacks on 7 October 2023 in southern Israel.
During the conflict, Tabtabai rose through the ranks as Israel eliminated the organisation's leaders and commanders. Although he was not one of Hezbollah's founders, Tabtabai was part of the 'second generation' of leaders who fought in Yemen and Syria.
Throughout his militancy, Tabtabai led one of the organisation's most specialised commands: the Radwan Forces. This division of Hezbollah, considered an elite corps, has led important missions against the IDF during the conflict.
In his final days, he was responsible for redirecting the war against the State of Israel from Lebanon, despite the signing of the ceasefire.