Israeli Attempt to Assassinate Senior Hezbollah Leader: What Do We Know About “The Ghost”?

Hebrew media sources have reported that a powerful airstrike targeted a building in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, allegedly aimed at assassinating a senior Hezbollah leader, Talal Hamiyah.

While other names have been mentioned as potential targets of the strike, including Mohammad Haidar, there has been no official confirmation from either the Lebanese side or the Israeli occupation about the results of the attack, which struck a building in Beirut’s Basta al-Fawqa neighborhood.

Who is Talal Hamiyah?

Talal Hamiyah, also known as “The Ghost” due to his elusive nature and the scarcity of available information about him, is one of Hezbollah’s most secretive and high-ranking figures. Known by his nom de guerre “Abu Jaafar,” Hamiyah is among the party’s founding military leaders and a member of its first generation.

Hamiyah is reputed for his strict adherence to security protocols and clandestine operations, making him a particularly difficult target for adversaries. His activities are largely classified, reflecting the sensitive nature of his role.

He is believed to oversee Hezbollah’s international networks, which involve fundraising and operational coordination. Reports suggest that Hamiyah has been linked to operations targeting Israeli and Western interests in locations such as Thailand, Cyprus, and other countries.

Hamiyah reportedly leads Hezbollah’s External Security Unit, also known as the “910 Unit.” This specialized division handles intelligence gathering and the coordination of operations outside Lebanon.

U.S. Sanctions and Targeting

The United States has placed a $7 million bounty on Hamiyah for information leading to his capture, accusing him of orchestrating violent attacks, including the 1982 bombings targeting U.S. Marines and French forces in Beirut.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Hamiyah as a “Global Terrorist,” citing his role in managing Hezbollah’s operations across the Middle East and around the globe.

Hamiyah was reportedly targeted a month ago when the Israeli military claimed to have struck a high-ranking Hezbollah figure during an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Local sources have suggested that Hezbollah appointed Hamiyah as the head of operations following the assassination of Ibrahim Aqil by Israeli forces on September 20.

Who is Mohammad Haidar?

Another figure mentioned in connection with the recent strike is Mohammad Haidar, also known as “Abu Ali.” Western media reports describe Haidar as the head of Hezbollah’s operational division and a key member of the organization’s “Jihadi Council.”

The Jihadi Council, which previously included figures like Ibrahim Aqil and Fuad Shukr—both recently assassinated—plays a central role in shaping Hezbollah’s military and security strategies.

Haidar is considered one of Hezbollah’s most influential security leaders, having taken on significant responsibilities after the assassinations of prominent commanders like Imad Mughniyeh and Mustafa Badreddine.

A Pattern of Targeted Strikes

The recent airstrike highlights Israel’s ongoing efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s leadership, particularly those involved in its external and operational units. With both Hamiyah and Haidar occupying critical roles in Hezbollah’s structure, their targeting reflects the strategic importance Israel places on dismantling the party’s military capabilities.

However, the lack of official confirmation about the results of these strikes leaves the situation shrouded in uncertainty. Both Hezbollah’s continued secrecy and Israel’s silence on such operations add to the mystique surrounding figures like Hamiyah, “The Ghost.”