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The Israeli military reportedly struck the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed faction Hezbollah in a operation on the capital's southern district, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This was the initial airstrike in months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an zone renowned for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Military Leader

The objective of the attack was the military official the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an Israeli source informed about the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not state whether the official was fatally wounded.

American Notification Particulars

A senior US official indicated that Israeli authorities did not alert Washington in advance about the airstrike, as mentioned in a social media post.

The official noted that the US government was alerted right after the incident, and a another American official said that the US had known for several days that Israel was preparing to increase strikes in Lebanon.

Background on the Target

The United States imposed sanctions on Tabtabai in recent years, classifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and offering a reward of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Strike Details and Consequences

The airstrike impacted a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents mentioned hearing the roar of aircraft before the blast.

Civilians fled out of their homes out of apprehension of additional attacks, as stated by a correspondent in the region.

No fewer than two individuals were lost their lives and approximately 24 were hurt and transported to medical facilities in the vicinity, according to medical sources.

There was no immediate comment from the organization.

Ongoing Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have taken the lives of its ex-head the group's past leader, much of the group's top military brass and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister told his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would continue to confront “terrorism” on various arenas.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to stop the group from rebuilding its capability to endanger our security,” he said.

Wider Situation

Israel has escalated bombing raids in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it states is intended to hinder a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the border area.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of seeking to rearm since a US-backed ceasefire recently.

The group says it has complied with requirements for it to terminate its military presence in the border region near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.