The Second-in-Command: Who is Tabtabaei, Targeted by Israel in Beirut?

Following the Israeli military's announcement that it targeted a building believed to house the prominent Hezbollah commander Haitham Ali Tabtabaei in Haret Hreik, his name resurfaced. Tabtabaei, known as "Abu Ali Tabtabaei," is described as the "Second-in-Command" in the group's military hierarchy and one of the last influential leaders in its command structure.

Military Significance and US Pursuit

• Regional Role: Tabtabaei is one of the most prominent military leaders who played a pivotal role in the expansion of Hezbollah's activity outside Lebanon.

• Elite Forces Command: According to the US State Department, he commanded elite forces, managed operations in Syria, and supervised special forces units operating in Yemen in support of "destabilizing activities."

• US Sanctions: Due to his role, the US State Department designated him a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" on October 26, 2016, imposing sanctions and freezing his assets.

• The Bounty: The US "Rewards for Justice" program offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his location or capture.

Current Leadership Importance

• Last Hard Knot: Tabtabaei’s importance grew during 2024 and 2025 following a series of assassinations targeting first-tier leaders (including Nasrallah, Safieddine, and Shukr).

• Center of Knowledge: He is viewed as one of the few remaining commanders with detailed knowledge of the military structure and the group's external files.

• Significance of Targeting: While his fate remains unknown, the attempt to target him reflects the ongoing intelligence race to cripple what remains of Hezbollah's military leadership.