WhatsappIn a targeted operation that underscores Israel’s unwavering commitment to defending its citizens, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of Haytham Ali Tabataba’i, Hezbollah’s de facto chief of staff and a key architect of the terror group’s military operations, in an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday. The strike, the first of its kind in the Lebanese capital since mid-2025, represents a decisive blow to Hezbollah’s command structure and serves as a clear message that Israel will not allow the Iran-backed militia to rebuild its arsenal or threaten northern communities.
The operation, codenamed “Black Friday,” was executed with surgical precision by the Israeli Air Force in the densely populated Dahiyeh district, specifically the Haret Hreik neighborhood. According to Lebanese health authorities, the strike resulted in five deaths and over 20 injuries, including Tabataba’i and several other Hezbollah operatives. Hezbollah itself later confirmed the loss, eulogizing the veteran commander as a “great Jihadi commander” who had “dedicated his life to the resistance.” While tragic for innocent bystanders, Israeli officials emphasized that the intelligence-driven action minimized civilian risk while neutralizing a high-value target directly responsible for years of aggression against Israel.
Tabataba’i, who joined Hezbollah in the 1980s, rose through the ranks to become one of the organization’s most influential figures. He commanded the elite Radwan Force, a unit specialized in cross-border incursions and attacks on Israeli territory, and oversaw Hezbollah’s operations in Syria, where he facilitated the transfer of advanced weaponry from Iran. His role extended to strategic planning, making him a pivotal “center of knowledge and power” within the group’s leadership. Israeli intelligence had tracked him for years, viewing him as instrumental in the buildup of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket stockpiles that have terrorized Israeli civilians along the northern border.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation from his office in Jerusalem, hailed the operation as a vital step in safeguarding Israel’s security. “A few hours ago, the IDF eliminated Ali Tabataba’i, the Chief-of-Staff of the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” Netanyahu stated. “Tabataba’i is a mass murderer. His hands are soaked in the blood of many Israelis and Americans. He led the terror organization’s build-up and armament efforts, and this strike disrupts that dangerous trajectory.” The Prime Minister’s Office further noted that Netanyahu authorized the mission “upon the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief-of-Staff,” framing it as consistent with the ceasefire understandings reached between Israel and Lebanon a year prior.
IDF spokespersons echoed this resolve, underscoring the broader strategic imperative. In an official statement, the IDF detailed the operation: “Today, 23 November 2025, the IDF struck in the Beirut area, guided by Military Intelligence and using the Air Force, and eliminated the terrorist Haytham Ali Tabataba’i, Hezbollah’s de facto Chief of Staff.” The military described Tabataba’i as a “veteran and central operative in the terror organization” who had held senior roles, including commander of the elite Radwan Force and head of operations in Syria. “During the war, Tabataba’i was appointed to head Hezbollah’s operations division, responsible for consolidating the organization’s situational picture and force buildup,” the IDF added. “In late 2024, after most of Hezbollah’s leadership was killed, he effectively served as the official responsible for managing the fighting against Israel.”
Further emphasizing the ongoing commitment to security, the IDF declared: “The IDF will act against attempts to rehabilitate and rearm the terrorist organization Hezbollah, and will act forcefully to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel. We continue to be committed to the understandings agreed upon between the State of Israel and Lebanon.” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reinforced this stance, stating that “we may be required to return to combat in arenas in which we have already operated; we are preparing for that.” He noted Tabataba’i’s persistent efforts, adding, “Tabataba’i had been constantly working to rebuild the organization and prepare for the next campaign, and [the IDF] will not allow threats to develop.” “I will continue to lead the IDF in the light of truth, and out of responsibility and devotion to the mission,” Zamir affirmed, highlighting the military’s disciplined approach amid potential escalations.
Defense Minister Israel Katz also commended the forces involved, warning: “We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel.” This operation, coordinated in advance with U.S. allies, was positioned not as an escalation but as a necessary enforcement of the fragile peace, targeting an individual who persisted in directing terrorist activities despite the truce.
The strike comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize Israel’s northern frontier following intense exchanges earlier in the year. Hezbollah’s arsenal, estimated at tens of thousands of rockets, has long posed an existential risk to Israeli population centers. By removing Tabataba’i—previously targeted unsuccessfully by Israel in 2015—the IDF has further degraded the group’s operational capacity, buying precious time for displaced families in the Galilee to return home safely.
Reactions from across the region were swift. Hezbollah vowed to honor Tabataba’i as a martyr, while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack and called for international intervention to curb Israeli operations. Israeli security assessments, however, suggest a low likelihood of immediate retaliation, given Hezbollah’s recent setbacks and internal pressures. The IDF remains on high alert, prepared to respond proportionally to any provocations.
