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The Israeli military reportedly struck the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a operation on Beirut's southern suburbs, per the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This marked the initial airstrike in several months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an region recognized for hosting officials from the group.

Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the attack was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, as reported by an Israeli source informed about the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not confirm whether the official was eliminated.

American Notification Particulars

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

The authority noted that the US government was alerted following the strike, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had known for several days that Israel was planning to increase operations in Lebanon.

History on the Target

The United States enforced restrictions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, identifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and providing a bounty of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Attack Particulars and Consequences

The strike impacted a main road in Beirut's southern suburbs, where locals stated detecting the noise of jets before the explosion.

Civilians hurried out of their residences out of apprehension of further strikes, per a correspondent in the zone.

No fewer than two individuals were lost their lives and two dozen were hurt and taken to hospitals in the region, per health officials.

There was no quick statement from Hezbollah.

Ongoing Israel's Operations

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have eliminated its previous chief the group's past leader, much of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader told his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the strike that the country would persist to confront “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to stop the group from restoring its capacity to endanger our security,” he declared.

Wider Situation

Israel has increased air attacks in south Lebanon, pressing a campaign of regular assaults that it says is intended to hinder a military revival by the faction in the border area.

Israel has accused the group of seeking to acquire arms since a US-backed ceasefire recently.

The group asserts it has abided by requirements for it to cease its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.