Israeli Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Leader Haytham Ali Tabtabai

Hezbollah's prominent military figure, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, was killed on Sunday, November 23, 2025, in an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment building in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood of Beirut. This incident has heightened tensions in the region, with significant implications for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese security sources have confirmed the death of Haytham Ali Tabtabai, describing him as a key figure within Hezbollah's hierarchy. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that the airstrike was part of their ongoing efforts to eliminate threats posed by Hezbollah, particularly following a period of intense conflict that lasted from October 2023 to November 2024.

Israeli military officials indicated that Tabtabai was the de facto Chief of Staff for Hezbollah and had risen through the ranks of the organisation after many senior leaders had been killed during the recent conflict. The airstrike resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left at least 25 others injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Who Was Haytham Ali Tabtabai?

Haytham Ali Tabtabai was born in Lebanon, with Iranian roots on his father's side and Lebanese heritage from his mother. He joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was not part of the founding group but became a significant figure in what is referred to as Hezbollah's 'second generation'. Tabtabai was involved in combat operations alongside Hezbollah's allies in Syria and Yemen.

During the previous year’s conflict, Tabtabai led Hezbollah's operations division, rising to prominence as other top commanders were eliminated. Following the ceasefire agreement, he was appointed Chief of Staff, where he focused on preparing Hezbollah forces for potential future conflicts with Israel.

The Alma Center, a security research organisation based in Israel, noted that Tabtabai had previously survived multiple Israeli attacks, both during the Syrian civil war and prior conflicts in Lebanon.

Regional Reactions

The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned of ongoing military actions to neutralise threats from Hezbollah. In a statement, Katz said, "We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel."

Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai's death, referring to him as a 'great commander' and indicating that this strike could lead to increased hostilities across Lebanon. Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, stated that the group is considering its response, highlighting the potential for an escalation in violence.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the airstrike, accusing Israel of violating ceasefire terms and calling for international intervention to halt attacks on Lebanon. This event occurs nearly one year after a truce that concluded a devastating conflict which resulted in over 4,000 casualties in Lebanon and extensive damage to infrastructure. Israel has accused Hezbollah of attempting to reconstruct its military capabilities, a claim that Lebanese authorities have denied, asserting their military's lack of resources to secure the southern region fully.