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The Israeli military reportedly attacked the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a operation on Beirut's southern district, per the Israeli prime minister's office on the weekend.

This marked the first strike in several months on the southern district of the capital city, an area renowned for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Target Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the strike was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, per an source from Israel briefed on the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether the official was fatally wounded.

US Alert Particulars

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities did not notify the US administration prior about the operation, according to a digital update.

The official noted that the US government was notified right after the incident, and a another American official said that the US had known for days that Israel was preparing to escalate attacks in the country.

History on the Military Leader

The United States levied sanctions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, classifying him as a critical military figure in the group and providing a bounty of up to $5m for intel on him.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The airstrike impacted a primary street in Beirut's southern suburbs, where locals stated noticing the sound of jets before the detonation.

Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of apprehension of additional attacks, as stated by a journalist in the area.

No fewer than two individuals were killed and approximately 24 were injured and rushed to medical facilities in the vicinity, as reported by medical sources.

There was no prompt response from the organization.

Ongoing Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have eliminated its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister informed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would continue to combat “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to hinder Hezbollah from restoring its capability to endanger our security,” he stated.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has stepped up airstrikes in southern Lebanon, advancing a operation of frequent strikes that it says is aimed to block a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the border area.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of seeking to restock weapons since a American-endorsed peace agreement recently.

The group claims it has abided by conditions for it to end its military presence in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to position there.