Hezbollah has announced the martyrdom of senior military commander Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai, also known as Sayyed Abu Ali, who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on Harat Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

On Sunday afternoon, an Israeli airstrike targeted the fourth and fifth stories of a residential civilian building on al-Areed street in Haret Hreik. Per the Lebanese Ministry of Health, five were martyred and 28 were wounded in the strike.

In an official statement, the resistance mourned the loss of a great military commander, praising al-Tabatabai’s lifelong dedication to the Resistance in Lebanon and his role in confronting the Israeli occupation.

The statement added that al-Tabatabai joined his fellow martyred brethren after a long wait to meet God Almighty, following a path marked by "jihad, sincerity, and steadfastness."

He was recognized as one of the founding leaders of Hezbollah’s military structure and played a pivotal role in its early formation and subsequent growth.

"He never tired or faltered in defending his land and people," the statement read. "Since the inception of the Resistance, he laid the groundwork for a movement that remains strong, dignified, and capable of protecting the homeland and achieving victories."

Hezbollah emphasized that the martyrdom of al-Tabatabai would further energize resistance fighters and reinforce their determination to continue resisting the Zionist enemy and its backer, the United States. The group vowed to carry forward his legacy and that of all martyred commanders.

Following is the full text of the statement:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

"Among the believers are men who have remained true to their covenant with Allah. Some have fulfilled their pledge [through martyrdom], while others await their turn, never wavering in their commitment."

With great pride and honor, Hezbollah announces to the people of the Resistance and our Lebanese nation the martyrdom of the esteemed jihadi commander Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai (Sayyed Abu Ali), who ascended as a martyr in defense of Lebanon and its people following a treacherous Israeli attack on the Harat Hreik area in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

This great commander has now joined his fellow martyrs after a long wait to meet God Almighty, concluding a life devoted to jihad, sincerity, dedication, and steadfastness on the path of resistance. Until his final breath, he was unwavering in his efforts to confront the Israeli enemy.

He never tired or faltered in defending his land and people. Since the early days of the Resistance, he was among its founding commanders, laying the groundwork for a movement that remains strong, dignified, and capable of protecting the nation and achieving victories.

God has bestowed upon him the exalted status of martyrdom. His sacrifice will continue to inspire strength, resolve, and hope among his fellow fighters, just as his presence in life was a source of power and inspiration. The fighters will carry his sacred blood, as they have carried the blood of all martyred leaders, moving forward with courage and determination to defeat all schemes of the Zionist enemy and its sponsor, the United States.

We extend our condolences and congratulations to our Master, the Imam of the Age [Imam Mahdi] (may God hasten his reappearance), to his brothers-in-arms and fellow resistance fighters, to the steadfast and patient supporters of the Resistance, and to all free people around the world on the martyrdom of this prominent jihadi commander and his fellow martyrs who fell alongside him. We also extend our heartfelt sympathies to their noble families, asking God Almighty to grant them patience and solace, and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the wounded.

Sunday, November 23, 2025
2 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447 AH