Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of staff, in Beirut, labeling him a ‘mass murderer’ responsible for attacks on Israelis and Americans. He said the strike was part of Israel’s effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s leadership and prevent the group from rebuilding its arsenal after recent operations.
Netanyahu framed the attack as part of the ongoing effort to neutralize Hezbollah’s leadership and ensure the group cannot pose a threat to Israel again. He warned that Israel would not tolerate future threats from Lebanon and urged the government to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing that only through disarming the group could a better future be made possible for every citizen in Lebanon and secure relations be established between Israel and Lebanon.
Hezbollah confirmed Tabatabai’s death by posting a photo on its Telegram accounts, signaling the loss of one of its top commanders. A translation of the image’s caption reads,