Politics Israel: Hezbollah leader killed in Beirut
Israel's military has reportedly killed a senior Hezbollah leader in an attack in the Lebanese capital Beirut. It was Haitham Ali Tabatabai, the chief of staff of the Hezbollah militia, the military announced. In 2018, the USA had offered a reward of five million dollars for his capture. The Hezbollah militia confirmed the death in the evening.
23.11.2025, 18:02
23.11.2025, 20:48
SDA
According to official Lebanese figures, at least five people were killed and 28 others injured in the attack on an apartment in the suburb of Haret Hreik. It was the first Israeli attack in the greater Beirut area for months. The Lebanese news agency NNA reported that the attack also caused considerable damage to neighboring buildings and cars on the street.
Netanyahu ordered the attack
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced that the army had "attacked the Hezbollah Chief of General Staff, who had led the rebuilding and rearmament of the terrorist organization". Netanyahu had ordered the attack on the recommendation of Defense Minister Israel Katz and military chief Ejal Zamir.
Defense Minister Katz said that Israel would continue to act with determination "to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the State of Israel". Katz threatened: "Anyone who raises their hand against Israel will have their hand cut off." A return to reality before the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 will not be allowed.
Israel and the Iranian-backed militia agreed on a ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of mutual shelling. Nevertheless, the Israeli military continues to attack targets in Lebanon. Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement.
Repeated attacks in Beirut too
In September last year, the Israeli air force killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The attack also took place in the Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik.
In January 2024, the second highest-ranking leader of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas abroad, Saleh al-Aruri, was killed in an explosion in Beirut. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the death of the deputy head of Hamas' political bureau.
