On Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that Haytham Ali Tabatabai, identified as Hezbollah’s chief of staff, had been killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Beirut. The Prime Minister characterized Tabatabai as a “mass murderer” implicated in assaults against both Israelis and Americans.
Netanyahu presented the operation as a component of Israel’s sustained campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s command structure and hinder the group’s rearmament following previous engagements. He cautioned that Israel would not tolerate any future threats originating from Lebanon and called upon the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah.
Netanyahu stated, “A few hours ago, the IDF neutralized Ali Tabatabai, the chief of staff of the [missing organization name]. Tabatabai is a mass murderer, whose hands are stained with the blood of numerous Israelis and Americans. The U.S. placed a $5 million bounty on him for good reason.”
The Prime Minister identified Tabatabai as a senior commander within the Radwan Force, a unit he claimed was preparing to invade the Galilee region and target Israeli civilians.
Netanyahu further indicated that Tabatabai had most recently directed Hezbollah’s rearmament efforts following significant losses the group sustained during the “Pager Operation,” which involved damage to missile stockpiles and the killing of [missing individual/details].
“I commend the IDF and the security forces for executing a professional, precise, and successful operation today,” Netanyahu remarked. “The policy I am pursuing is unequivocally clear: Under my direction, the State of Israel will not permit Hezbollah to regain its strength, nor will we allow it to pose a threat to the State of Israel ever again.”
He further added, “I expect the Lebanese government to uphold its commitment to disarm Hezbollah, as this is the sole path to a brighter future for every Lebanese citizen and the only way to establish positive and secure neighborly relations between Israel and Lebanon.”
Netanyahu also praised President [missing name] for his pledge to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, asserting that the group jeopardizes stability across the Middle East and globally.
Hezbollah acknowledged Tabatabai’s demise by sharing a photograph on its Telegram channels, indicating the loss of a key commander. The translated caption accompanying the image stated: “Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah. The distinguished jihadi leader Haitham Ali Tabatabai (Sayyed Abu Ali), 1968–2025.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Prime Minister’s office announced that [missing action/details] had been carried out based on the recommendations of the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff. Soon after the operation, Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israel would persist in taking resolute action against threats emanating from Lebanon.
Katz declared, “Anyone who acts against Israel will face severe consequences. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are resolved to maintain a policy of maximum enforcement in Lebanon and other regions. We will not permit a return to the situation that existed prior to October 7.”