Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a renewed and direct call for the Lebanese government in Beirut to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group. This demand came just hours after an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) precision strike in the Lebanese capital successfully eliminated the organization's high-ranking commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, described as the group's 'chief of staff.'
The Strike and Its Target
In a significant escalation, Israeli Air Force fighter jets targeted a hideout apartment in Beirut's southern Dahiyeh district on Sunday. The strike, which killed Haytham Ali Tabatabai, was confirmed as professional and accurate by Netanyahu. Tabatabai was the No. 2 official in Hezbollah, directly under Secretary-General Naim Qassem, and was the leader of the elite Radwan Force.
Prime Minister Netanyahu labeled the slain commander a 'mass murderer' whose hands were 'soaked in the blood of many Israelis and Americans.' He noted that the United States had placed a $5 million bounty on Tabatabai's head, underscoring his significance as a global terrorist threat. According to Israeli intelligence, Tabatabai was personally overseeing Hezbollah's efforts to rearm following heavy losses sustained during a year of conflict with Israel and was preparing the Radwan Force for an invasion of northern Israel's Galilee region.
Netanyahu's Ultimatum to Lebanon
Following the targeted assassination, Netanyahu publicly addressed the government of Lebanon. 'I expect the government of Lebanon to fulfill its commitment to disarm Hezbollah,' he stated firmly. He tied this demand directly to the ceasefire understandings reached between the parties on November 26, 2024.
Netanyahu argued that only by disarming Hezbollah could a better future be secured for the citizens of Lebanon and 'good and secure neighborly relations' be established with Israel. He vowed that under his leadership, 'the State of Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power and we will not allow it to pose a threat to the State of Israel again.'
Hezbollah's Response and Regional Fallout
Hezbollah officially confirmed the death of Tabatabai, honoring him with the epithet 'commander of the great jihad.' The group's statement confirmed that four other operatives were also killed in the strike: Ibrahim Ali Hussein, Rifaat Ahmed Hussein, Mustafa Asaad Barrou, and Qassem Hussein Barjawi. Notably, the announcement stopped short of issuing any immediate threat of retaliation, a detail closely watched by analysts.
Despite the lack of an explicit threat from Hezbollah, the assassination of such a senior figure has heightened tensions. Residents in northern Israel are reportedly concerned about potential retaliation. Israeli media, citing Channel 12 News, reported that while there are no new civilian instructions at this moment, the IDF has prepared battle plans should Hezbollah choose to respond, setting the stage for a potential new phase of conflict.
