The IDF on Sunday afternoon eliminated Hezbollah’s No. 2 and the terror group’s acting military chief, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in his hideout apartment in Beirut’s Dahieh district.
It was the first Israeli strike in Dahieh since June, and the operation was codenamed “Black Friday.” About four hours after the strike, the IDF confirmed Tabatabai had been killed and released footage of the attack.
Footage from the strike
(Video: IDF)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strike on the recommendation of the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff. “Israel is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time,” the statement said.
In a nationally broadcast statement, Netanyahu called the terrorist "a ruthless murderer, his hands stained with the blood of Israelis and Americans, and it is no coincidence that the United States offered a $5 million reward for him."
"I thank the IDF and the security forces for carrying out a precise, professional and successful operation," Netanyahu also said, adding that "Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its strength or pose a threat to Israel. I expect the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah."
Aftermath of the strike
"I also want to commend President Trump for his decision to outlaw and designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization — it endangers the Middle East and beyond," he said, adding: "We know how to complete this mission soon."
The strike hit an apartment in the Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Residents reported hearing the sound of warplanes moments before the blast. Many fled their apartment buildings fearing additional strikes. Medical sources said at least two dozen people were wounded and taken to hospitals in the area.
Hezbollah’s deputy head of its political council, Mahmoud Qamati, hinted that the terror group would not remain silent over what he called “an attack on a senior jihadist leader in the resistance.” He said, “We will not respond to what the enemy says about a reaction. The leadership is studying the matter and will make the appropriate decision. This aggression crossed a red line, and all options are on the table.” He also claimed the Americans had “given a green light for the escalation.”
Tabatabai, a senior and secretive figure within the group, has long been considered one of Hezbollah’s most powerful military commanders. The United States designated him an international terrorist in 2016. Reports say he commanded Hezbollah’s special forces in Syria and Yemen, and no verified photograph of him is publicly known.
Earlier Sunday, before the strike, Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel would continue to fight “terrorism” on several fronts. “We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its ability to threaten us,” he said.
The Beirut strike came amid a broader Israeli campaign in southern Lebanon. In recent weeks Israel has carried out near-daily attacks that it says are intended to block Hezbollah from rebuilding its military infrastructure along the border. Israel accuses the group of trying to rearm despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire last year. Hezbollah says it has complied with the agreement, which requires its fighters to withdraw from the border region and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.
First published: 14:51, 11.23.25