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Israeli forces allegedly targeted the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a airstrike on the capital's southern district, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This was the first strike in months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an region recognized for housing Hezbollah officials.

Target Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The focus of the operation was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an source from Israel briefed on the incident and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was eliminated.

US Notification Particulars

A senior US official stated that Israel did not alert the US administration prior about the operation, as mentioned in a digital update.

The authority noted that the administration was notified right after the incident, and a another American official said that the United States had known for days that Israeli forces was intending to escalate attacks in Lebanon.

Background on the Military Leader

The US imposed penalties on Tabtabai in 2016, labeling him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Attack Particulars and Consequences

The strike struck a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents stated noticing the roar of warplanes before the explosion.

Civilians rushed out of their homes out of concern of further strikes, as stated by a reporter in the area.

No fewer than two individuals were killed and several dozen were hurt and taken to medical facilities in the vicinity, per medical sources.

There was no prompt response from the group.

Recent Israel's Operations

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have taken the lives of its ex-head the group's past leader, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the attack that Israel would carry on to fight “militant activities” on several fronts.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to hinder Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to threaten us,” he stated.

Broader Context

Israel has increased air attacks in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it says is intended to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the boundary zone.

Israel has accused the group of trying to rearm since a US-backed ceasefire last year.

The faction claims it has followed stipulations for it to cease its troop placement in the border region near Israel, and for the national army to station there.