The IDF has confirmed that it struck a significant blow against Lebanese terror group Hezbollah over the weekend.
A targeted strike on Beirut resulted in the death of Haytham Ali Tabatabai, the group's military chief of staff and second-in-command
Per an army spokesperson, Tabatabai was a "key operative" in the organisation and "played a significant role in developing the Radwan Unit," Hezbollah's elite combat division.
"Tabatabai was part of Hezbollah’s senior leadership and, due to his connections and abilities, served as a significant source of knowledge and influence within Hezbollah," the added.
He was killed on Sunday when Israel struck the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah also confirmed Tabatai's death, eulogising him as a "great Jihadi commander" who "dedicated his life to the resistance".
It also confirmed that four other senior operatives, Ibrahim Ali Hussein, Rifaat Ahmed Hussein, Mustafa Asaad Barrou and Qassem Hussein Barjawi, were killed.
There is, nominally, a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, mediated by the Lebanese government, but Jerusalem has repeatedly accused the group of violating this deal by refusing to disarm and withdraw its forces from the areas close to the Israeli border.
This was Israel’s first attack on Beirut for several months, though the US-back truce has been in place since last November.
In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “Under my leadership, the State of Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power, and we will not allow it to once again pose a threat to the State of Israel.”
Hezbollah is now reported to be considering a response, with Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, reporting that Jerusalem has heightened its air defence alert level.
While the report stated that security officials “do not expect an exchange of strikes with Hezbollah”, it added: “Israel is nevertheless preparing for various possible reactions, such as attacks on Israeli targets abroad or strikes from other fronts like [the Houthis in] Yemen.”
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