Israel launched a targeted attack against Hezbollah's number two in Lebanon
Haytham Ali Tabatabai, considered Hezbollah's number two
porEditorial Team
Israel
It was in the heart of Beirut against Haytham Ali Tabatabai, for whom the United States was offering 5 million dollars
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a targeted strike in the heart of Beirut against Haytham Ali Tabatabai, considered Hezbollah's number two and its de facto Chief of Staff.
The operation, directed against a hidden apartment used by the senior terrorist leadership, was authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the recommendation of the Minister of Defense and the IDF Chief of Staff.
The prime minister's office reported that the United States was notified in advance of the strike, in a gesture that underscores the strategic coordination between both countries in the face of the threat posed by the Shiite group.
In its statement, the Prime Minister's Office detailed that Tabatabai led Hezbollah's military and armament expansion efforts, an organization that continues to use Lebanese territory to consolidate its arsenal and launch attacks against Israel.
Images of the attack in Beirut
"Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives, anywhere and at any time," the government stated, emphasizing that the neutralization of senior terrorist leaders is a central part of its preventive defense policy.
Although Tabatabai's fate has not yet been confirmed, his elimination would represent one of the most significant blows against Hezbollah's military structure in recent years.
It should be noted that the United States was offering 5 million dollars for Tabatabai's head.
Considered the right-hand man of Secretary General Naim Qassem, Tabatabai played a key role in operational planning and in the transfer of weapons from Iran, as well as in coordinating hostile activities on the northern border.
The strike in Beirut adds to the growing Israeli pressure on the terrorist organization, responsible for thousands of rockets fired at Israeli civilian populations and for maintaining positions within Lebanese urban areas, putting the local population itself at risk.
The IDF confirmed that the target hit was a "prominent member" of Hezbollah and stated that more details will be provided in the coming hours.
Israel stresses that it will continue to act with determination against those who threaten its security, reinforcing its message that it will not allow Hezbollah to consolidate an offensive front in the north nor allow Iran to use Lebanon as a platform to expand its regional aggression.
