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Israeli forces reportedly targeted the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a operation on Beirut's southern district, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

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

Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the attack was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an Israeli source briefed on the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether Tabtabai was eliminated.

US Notification Details

A high-ranking American official indicated that Israel did not alert Washington in advance about the operation, per a social media post.

The official clarified that the US government was informed following the strike, and a another American official stated that the US had had information for several days that Israeli forces was intending to intensify attacks in Lebanon.

Background on the Military Leader

The US enforced sanctions on Tabtabai in recent years, labeling him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and offering a reward of up to $5m for details on him.

Strike Particulars and Aftermath

The airstrike impacted a central avenue in the capital's southern suburbs, where inhabitants reported detecting the roar of aircraft before the blast.

Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of concern of further strikes, as stated by a reporter in the region.

At least two individuals were fatally wounded and approximately 24 were wounded and taken to medical facilities in the area, according to medical sources.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

Recent Israeli Operations

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have killed its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader informed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that the country would persist to confront “terrorism” on various arenas.

“Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to prevent the group from rebuilding its capability to pose a danger to us,” he stated.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has stepped up airstrikes in the southern region, continuing a initiative of frequent strikes that it states is designed to prevent a military revival by the faction in the border area.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of trying to rearm since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The faction claims it has followed requirements for it to end its military presence in the frontier area near the Israeli border, and for the national army to deploy there.