The Israeli military said it assassinated Hezbollah's top military commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai in an airstrike in Beirut on Sunday. Hezbollah confirmed Tabatabai and two other commander were killed in the strike.
The big picture: This is the most significant Israeli strike against Hezbollah leaders since the ceasefire reached a year ago and the first time Israel has struck Beirut in five months.
- The strike came amid an ongoing escalation in Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon in recent weeks over what Israel claims is an effort by the militant group to rearm and rebuild its military capability in Lebanon.
- Israeli intelligence officials claimed Tabatabai was the leading voice inside Hezbollah against the Lebanese government's decision to disarm the group. They claim he pushed to end the ceasefire and resume the fighting with Israel.
Driving the news: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked Hezbollah's military chief of staff "who led the terror organization's build-up and armament efforts."
- Netanyahu said he ordered the strike based on the recommendation of the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff. "Israel is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time," he said.
- The missiles the Israeli Air Force launched hit the fourth and fifth floors of a 10-floor building in Beirut southern suburb which is seen as a Hezbollah stronghold.
- According to Lebanon's health ministry, five people have been killed and more than 20 wounded.
What they're saying: Several hours after the strike the IDF issued an official statement announcing it "eliminated" Tabatabai.
- "Tabatabai commanded most of Hezbollah's units and worked extensively to restore their readiness for war with Israel. The IDF will act against attempts to rebuild and rearm Hezbollah and will operate forcefully to remove any threat against Israel," the IDF said in a statement.
- Israel's military continued, "The IDF remains committed to the understandings agreed upon between the State of Israel and Lebanon."
Behind the scenes: A senior U.S. official told Axios that Israel did not notify the U.S. in advance about the strike in Beirut. "We were informed immediately after the strike was carried out," the official said.
- A second senior U.S. official said the U.S. knew for several days that Israel was planning to escalate its strikes in Lebanon, but did not know in advance the timing, location or target of the strike.
- An Israeli official confirmed the U.S. wasn't notified in advance of the strike.
Between the lines: Tabatabai has been wanted for years by the U.S. government, which has even offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. In 2016, the State Department designated Tabatabai as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
- Israeli officials said Tabatabai was the No. 2 figure in Hezbollah after its political leader, Naeem Qassem. He was appointed as Hezbollah's military leader after Israel assassinated his predecessors.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.
