Israel Eliminates Hezbollah’s Acting Chief of Staff in Beirut Strike

In a bold and highly strategic operation deep inside Beirut, Israel struck one of Hezbollah’s most senior military figures, delivering a powerful message to the terror group’s leadership at a critical moment in the ongoing conflict.

The target was Ali Tabatabai, widely considered Hezbollah’s acting chief of staff and effectively its second-in-command. Long responsible for the group’s elite forces and military buildup, Tabatabai had recently pushed Hezbollah toward greater escalation along Israel’s northern border. Israeli security sources assessed that he was directly involved in plotting attacks and guiding the organization’s operational tempo.

According to Israeli intelligence, Tabatabai was inside a safe house in the Dahiyeh district when the precision strike hit. The IDF confirmed the kill, describing the mission as part of Operation Black Friday and emphasizing its determination to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding or rearming. Lebanese reports indicated the strike targeted the upper floors of a multi-story building in Beirut’s Haret Hreik neighborhood.

The Prime Minister’s Office released a firm statement underscoring the operation’s importance: “A short while ago, the IDF struck in the heart of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah’s chief of staff, who led the terror organization’s build-up and armament. Israel is determined to achieve its objectives anywhere and at any time.”

Tabatabai had become one of Hezbollah’s most dangerous figures. Over the years, he commanded special forces and oversaw the group’s growing military infrastructure. Following losses in Hezbollah’s upper echelons, he rose to become its most influential military operative. The United States had previously placed a $5 million bounty on his head through a counterterrorism rewards program.

Israeli defense officials explained that the decision to strike was based on mounting intelligence showing Tabatabai driving Hezbollah toward a wider conflict. His removal, they noted, disrupts operational planning at the highest level and signals to Hezbollah that Israel will not allow threats to mature unchecked.

Hezbollah has not confirmed his death, a familiar tactic when senior operatives are eliminated. But Israeli assessments indicate the strike successfully eliminated a core architect of Hezbollah’s aggression at a moment when the group has sought to expand its influence and pressure Israel’s northern border communities.

This operation demonstrates Israel’s resolve to defend its citizens and to act decisively, even far from its borders, to prevent terror from gaining strength. Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on Israel’s security efforts and regional developments.