Beirut experienced one of its most intense explosions in recent months after Israel struck a key Hezbollah military figure in the city’s southern suburbs. The attack on Sunday sent shockwaves through Dahieh, a neighborhood known for housing senior members of Hezbollah, leaving residents in panic and causing severe damage to buildings and vehicles.
Israeli Strike Hits Hezbollah’s Command in Dahieh
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it “eliminated” Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Ali Tabatabai, in a rare strike in Beirut. Tabatabai was a veteran commander who had been active since the 1980s, playing a central role in building Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, supervising operations in Syria, and overseeing the group’s military expansion over decades.
An Israeli source familiar with the strike, along with a Lebanese security official, confirmed that Tabatabai was the intended target. Hezbollah has not yet officially confirmed his death. According to Israel, he directed combat activities along the Israel–Lebanon border and served as the organization’s chief of general staff.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the strike targeted Tabatabai because he was responsible for Hezbollah’s military buildup and rearmament. The IDF has carried out similar operations in the past, targeting senior Hezbollah figures in a bid to limit the group’s military capacity.
The United States Treasury had previously designated Tabatabai in 2016 as a key Hezbollah military leader, offering a reward of up to $5 million for information on him.
Chaos and Damage in Dahieh
The strike threw Dahieh into chaos. Residents described the moment of impact as terrifying, hearing the roar of warplanes just before a massive explosion shook the area. The blast crumbled buildings, mangled cars, and filled the streets with thick smoke. Emergency teams rushed in to assist people trapped under debris and to provide medical attention.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least five people died and more than 20 were injured during the attack. Witnesses said residents ran out of their homes in fear, leaving belongings behind as dust and smoke engulfed the neighborhood.
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Israeli forces carried out the first operation in Beirut’s southern suburbs in months. Residents recognize the area as the stronghold of Hezbollah’s senior command, making the strike particularly significant.
A senior U.S. official told Axios that Washington did not receive advance notice of the operation. However, the Biden administration learned of the strike immediately afterward. Another American official said U.S. authorities had known for days that Israel might escalate operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah Condemns Israel’s Actions
Hezbollah has accused Israel of breaking the November 2024 ceasefire. Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah MP, condemned the strike, saying the “Israeli enemy has remained persistent and addicted to continuing its aggression, targeting buildings, people and civilians.”
So far, Hezbollah has not issued a formal statement regarding the death of Tabatabai, but the attack underscores the ongoing tension between Israel and the group. Over the past year, Israel has increased aerial strikes across Lebanon, claiming these operations prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military infrastructure.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu told his cabinet earlier on Sunday that Israel would continue to operate on multiple fronts to prevent Hezbollah from “re-establishing its ability to threaten us.” Israel says it aims to stop military escalation with its strikes, while Hezbollah claims the Lebanese army secures the border and denies that it is rearming.
The strike in Dahieh adds to a series of operations that have targeted Hezbollah in recent years, including attacks that killed former leader Hassan Nasrallah’s close aides and other senior commanders. These operations have caused destruction and casualties, reflecting the volatile security situation in southern Beirut.