Hezbollah's chief of staff, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, was killed by an Israeli air strike on the outskirts of Beirut on November 23, 2025. This operation marks a significant escalation, occurring despite a year-long ceasefire following the intense 2023–24 war. Israel's military confirmed the strike, describing Tabtabai as a key figure in Hezbollah's military operations. Hezbollah later acknowledged his death, referring to him as “the great jihadist commander” who fought against Israel until his last moments.

Tabtabai, born in 1968 to an Iranian father and a Lebanese mother, joined Hezbollah in the 1980s. He was not part of the founding group but belonged to its second generation, participating in conflicts in Syria and Yemen. He rose through the ranks during the recent war, eventually becoming chief of staff as senior commanders were eliminated. His leadership was crucial in restoring Hezbollah's military readiness after the ceasefire.

The Israeli military stated that the air strike targeted an apartment building in Haret Hreik, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut. The attack resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 28 others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The strike was part of a series of Israeli operations aimed at preventing Hezbollah from regrouping and rearming.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the military action was necessary to thwart Hezbollah's capabilities, stating, "Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times." In response, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for international intervention to halt Israeli attacks, urging the global community to take action to protect Lebanon and its citizens.

This incident is the fifth Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs since the ceasefire was established in November 2024. The ongoing tensions highlight the fragile security situation in the region, with both sides remaining on high alert following the recent conflict.