The IDF on Sunday eliminated Hezbollah leader Ali Tabatabai, one of Hezbollah’s most prominent figures and currently the terror group’s de facto chief of staff.

The airstrike was carried out in the Dahiya quarter of Beirut at about noon, the IDF spokesperson confirmed. It is the first time that Israel has carried out a strike in Beirut in five months.

Tabatabai is considered one of the organization’s most influential figures and the highest-ranking person after Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Naim Qassem.

The IDF Chief of the General Staff oversaw the IDF strike in Dahieh from the Senior Command Post at the “Kirya” (Rabin) Base, together with the Head of the Operations Directorate, MG Itzik Cohen; the Head of the Operations Division, BG Yisrael Shomer; the Head of the Operations Brigade, BG Meni Liberty; and additional commanders.

The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir told the media: “We struck the most senior commander in the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The strike was intended to prevent the organization from further strengthening its capabilities and to deliver a precise blow to those who attempt to harm the State of Israel.”

“Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the attack upon the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief-of-Staff. Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times.”

Tabatabai was born in Beirut in 1968, the son of an Iranian father and a Lebanese mother. In the past, he commanded the Radwan force and led covert operations in Syria and Yemen. He was promoted after the elimination of Hezbollah’s top leaders in Operation Northern Arrows. The US previously set a five-million-dollar reward offer for his capture.

Tabatabai was a key operative and veteran in the terrorist organization. He joined its ranks in the 1980’s and has since held a series of senior positions, including commanding the ‘Radwan Force’ Unit and serving as the head of Hezbollah’s operations in Syria. During his role in Syria, he further entrenched Hezbollah’s capabilities in Syria.

During the war, he was appointed commander of the organization’s operations array and was responsible for consolidating the operational picture and force build-up. During Operation “Northern Arrows,” after most of the military leadership was neutralized, he was effectively responsible for managing the combat against Israel.

At the end of Operation “Northern Arrows”, Tabatabai was appointed Hezbollah’s Chief of General Staff, and in this role he led efforts to rebuild the organization. He commanded most of Hezbollah’s units and worked extensively to restore their readiness for war with Israel.

Throughout his years in Hezbollah, Tabatabai developed and expanded Hezbollah’s capabilities. He also played a significant role in developing the Radwan Unit. 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 strike comes after another day of Israeli strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and the elimination of Hezbollah commander Kamel Raza Karnabesh in the Mifadon area. According to the IDF, Karnabesh was involved in efforts to rebuild the organization’s cells and worked to deepen Hezbollah’s military foothold in the region.

In another strike carried out yesterday under the leadership of Division 91, a Hezbollah operative was killed in the village of Hula. That operative served as the organization’s representative in the village and was responsible for managing ties between Hezbollah and local residents in military and economic matters, including seizing private property for operational purposes.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)