Beirut Mourns Fallen Commander as Residents Defend Hezbollah’s Arms
Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood erupts in grief as hundreds gather for the funeral of Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, whose killing in an Israeli strike ripped apart an apartment block and jolted a community that sees no alternative to armed defense. Reporting from the scene, Taylor Thomas captures a suburb where smashed concrete, open storefronts, and chest-beating mourners coexist in a tense rhythm of normalcy and dread.
Residents describe Tabatabai as a “treasure,” and many tell The Media Line they expect Hezbollah to decide its next steps carefully. Israeli officials call Tabatabai a central architect of the group’s military operations, citing his role in directing attacks since October 2023 and overseeing fighters in Syria. The United States designated him a global terrorist in 2016.
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As Israeli strikes escalate—even during the ceasefire—fear mixes with defiance. Civilians like Nadia, Mariam, and Fatima insist that without Hezbollah’s weapons, southern Beirut would be exposed. They argue that the Lebanese army is too weak and the state too absent to protect neighborhoods facing repeated bombardment. More than 340 people in Lebanon have been killed this year alone, fueling the belief that “the resistance,” as locals call Hezbollah, is the only shield they have left.
At Tabatabai’s burial, young men in military and Scout uniforms struggle to hold back tears, aware they could be next. Hezbollah leaders signal that a response is possible but not guaranteed, with Deputy Chairman Mahmoud Qamati saying all options remain on the table while coordination with the Lebanese state continues.
Dahieh’s residents wait in a fragile quiet—mourning their dead, skeptical of disarmament, and bracing for whatever comes next. To understand the stakes in full, read Taylor Thomas’ complete report.
