israel attack lebanon has triggered a major escalation in Beirut after Israeli forces killed senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai in a targeted strike on the capital. The operation, which struck an apartment block in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood of southern Beirut, left at least five people dead and dozens wounded. Tabatabai, one of Hezbollah’s most influential military figures, is the most senior commander killed by Israel since the November 2024 ceasefire.
The attack has sharply heightened regional fears that the fragile calm between Israel and Hezbollah may collapse, potentially dragging Lebanon into a wider conflict at a moment of deep political and economic uncertainty.
Who Was Haytham Ali Tabatabai?
Haytham Ali Tabatabai was a central military strategist within Hezbollah’s armed wing. Born in Beirut in 1968 to a Lebanese mother and Iranian father, he grew up in southern Lebanon and joined Hezbollah at the age of 12. Over four decades, he rose to become one of the organisation’s most trusted figures, responsible for shaping operations, overseeing units, and coordinating major military responses.
He was widely viewed as a symbolic and operational pillar within Hezbollah’s hierarchy. Israeli security forces had reportedly attempted to target him twice before this strike. His death represents a significant blow to the group’s leadership at a time when Hezbollah is already under pressure for failing to deter Israeli attacks over the past year.
Details of the Beirut Strike
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that two missiles struck the residential building in Haret Hreik. The blast damaged surrounding structures, smashed vehicles, and left civilians trapped under debris. Emergency responders worked for hours to extract survivors as residents gathered in shock outside the ruined building.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed that 28 people were injured in the attack. For many, the strike shattered the illusion of safety in Beirut, which had not been hit for months even as Israeli bombardments continued in the country’s south.
Israel quickly claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed Tabatabai was the intended target, framing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to “eliminate Hezbollah’s strategic capabilities.”
Hezbollah’s Response and Warnings
Hezbollah released a statement condemning the incident as a “treacherous Israeli attack,” vowing that Tabatabai’s killing would not go unanswered. Senior official Mahmoud Qmati warned that Israel had crossed a “red line,” adding that the strike “opens the door to an escalation of assaults all over Lebanon.”
The group now faces a challenging dilemma: respond forcefully and risk a devastating retaliation, or remain restrained and appear weakened in the eyes of its supporters.
According to analysts, Hezbollah’s leadership is torn between demonstrating strength and avoiding a war that could further destabilise Lebanon’s already fragile state.
Fears of a Broader Conflict
Reporting from Beirut, observers note rising concerns that Israel may intensify its strikes. The Lebanese government, still recovering from years of economic crisis, is struggling to manage the heightened tensions.
Security experts told regional media that a key question is whether Hezbollah will retaliate. A large-scale response could give Netanyahu justification for a broader campaign into Lebanon, something analysts believe he may see as politically advantageous.
However, Hezbollah appears cautious. The group knows that Lebanon’s infrastructure remains vulnerable, and another war could severely damage civilian areas, weaken its support base, and further exhaust the population.
The Regional Context
The attack comes amid a series of Israeli operations across Lebanon in recent months. Southern Lebanon has experienced near-daily air raids, drone strikes, and bombardments targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure.
Earlier this week, at least 13 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon. Another attack targeted a car inside a mosque’s parking area, highlighting the unpredictable reach of the conflict.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild military networks in the south. The Lebanese government has denied these claims but acknowledges that tensions along the border remain dangerously high.
The United States and Israel have been pressuring Lebanon to ensure Hezbollah complies with a government-backed plan to disarm armed groups by the end of the year, though Hezbollah has refused to disarm while Israeli strikes continue.
Growing International Concern
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the international community to intervene to halt Israeli attacks, calling the situation an “urgent threat” to Lebanon’s stability. With the Pope scheduled to visit Lebanon in the coming days, global focus on the region is set to intensify.
Diplomats warn that the killing of Tabatabai could become a trigger point for renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah. The last major conflict in 2006 devastated large parts of Lebanon and resulted in years of political and economic turmoil.
What Happens Next?
As Beirut absorbs the shock of the strike, the next moves from Hezbollah will determine whether the confrontation escalates or stabilises. Analysts believe the group may choose a symbolic retaliation rather than a large-scale response to avoid giving Israel an excuse for a wider campaign.
Still, the killing of such a high-ranking commander is not an event Hezbollah can ignore. Tabatabai’s death represents both a tactical loss and a psychological blow. His role in shaping battlefield strategy means the group must now consider how to replace his expertise without exposing internal weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Lebanese citizens remain on edge. Many fear the country may return to conflict just as it attempts to recover from years of crisis.
This report is based on information originally published by BBC News, with additional analysis and context provided by FFR News.
