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The Israeli military reportedly struck the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-aligned faction Hezbollah in a airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This was the first strike in several months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an area recognized for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Military Leader

The focus of the strike was the military official Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source briefed on the incident and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether Tabtabai was killed.

American Alert Details

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities did not notify the US administration in advance about the airstrike, as mentioned in a social media post.

The official clarified that the US government was alerted following the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the US had known for days that Israel was planning to intensify attacks in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States levied restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, classifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to $5m for information on him.

Strike Particulars and Aftermath

The strike impacted a main road in the capital's southern suburbs, where inhabitants stated hearing the noise of jets before the blast.

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

No fewer than two people were lost their lives and approximately 24 were wounded and transported to hospitals in the region, per health officials.

There was no immediate comment from the organization.

Recent Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have taken the lives of its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader told his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would carry on to fight “militant activities” on several fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to stop the group from re-establishing its capability to endanger our security,” he said.

Wider Situation

Israel has escalated air attacks in south Lebanon, pressing a operation of frequent strikes that it says is designed to hinder a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the boundary zone.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of attempting to acquire arms since a US-backed ceasefire the previous year.

The group claims it has followed conditions for it to end its military presence in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.