Israel kills Hezbollah military chief in Beirut strike, Netanyahu warns group against rebuilding

Israel kills Hezbollah military chief in Beirut strike, Netanyahu warns group against rebuilding
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the plenum of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, 10 Nov, 2025.
Reuters

Israel carried out a targeted airstrike on Sunday in a southern suburb of Beirut, killing a top military official of Hezbollah, the Israeli military confirmed. The strike targeted Haytham Ali Tabtabai, the acting chief of staff of the Iran-backed group.

In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was a precise and professional strike, emphasizing that Israel would not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its forces.

“Tabtabai is a murderer. His hands are stained with the blood of many Israelis and Americans,” Netanyahu said.
“The policy I lead is crystal clear: Under my leadership, the State of Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power, and we will not allow it to return to pose a threat to the State of Israel.”

Netanyahu also called on the Lebanese government to take responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, saying it was the only way for Lebanon’s citizens to enjoy a secure future and for Israel and Lebanon to have stable relations.

He additionally praised President Trump for designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, linking the group to broader regional instability.

The strike comes despite a U.S.-brokered truce with Hezbollah a year ago and marks the first Israeli attack on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital in months. While Hezbollah has not officially confirmed Tabtabai’s death, senior official Mahmoud Qmati acknowledged that a central figure in the organization had been targeted.

Speaking near the damaged building in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, Qmati warned that Israel had crossed a “red line” and said the group’s leadership would decide how to respond.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the international community to step in and prevent further escalation.

The strike highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and raises concerns about renewed instability in southern Lebanon and the wider region.

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