Beirut: Israel announced today, Sunday, the assassination of the second-in-command of the Lebanese Hezbollah organization and commander of its military wing, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in a bombing that targeted him in Beirut's southern suburbs.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Israeli army stated that a precise strike was conducted in Beirut, specifically targeting a senior Hezbollah operative. This operation underscores Israel's ongoing strategy to neutralize key figures within Hezbollah, whom it perceives as threats to its national security.

The office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, released a subsequent statement confirming the operation. It described the attack as being centered in the heart of Beirut, explicitly targeting the chief of staff of Hezbollah, who was reportedly leading efforts to enhance the organization's capabilities and armament. The statement emphasized Israel's resolve to pursue its objectives "everywhere and at all times."

Further reports from Israeli Channel 12 corroborated the army's account, confirming that the strike on Beirut's southern suburbs led to Tabatabai's death. The operation is being viewed as a significant blow to Hezbollah's military leadership.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also verified that the operation's target was indeed the commander of Hezbollah's military wing. The corporation, citing an unnamed political source, revealed that the United States had been informed prior to the execution of the attack on Beirut's southern suburbs.