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Israeli forces allegedly attacked the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern district, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on the weekend.

This marked the first attack in several months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an area known for hosting Hezbollah officials.

Target Named as Military Leader

The target of the strike was the military official Ali Tabtabai, per an Israeli source informed about the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not state whether the official was killed.

American Notification Particulars

A senior US official revealed that Israeli authorities did not notify the US administration prior about the operation, per a social media post.

The authority added that the US government was informed following the strike, and a another American official stated that the United States had known for days that Israeli forces was preparing to escalate attacks in Lebanon.

History on the Military Leader

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

Attack Details and Aftermath

The airstrike hit a main road in the capital's southern suburbs, where residents mentioned hearing the sound of jets before the explosion.

Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of concern of additional attacks, as stated by a correspondent in the region.

No fewer than two people were fatally wounded and two dozen were hurt and taken to medical facilities in the vicinity, as reported by hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from the organization.

Ongoing Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the recent period have taken the lives of its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, much of the senior military leadership and about thousands of militants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the strike that the country would continue to fight “terrorism” on several fronts.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent the group from rebuilding its ability to threaten us,” he said.

Broader Context

Israeli forces has increased bombing raids in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it says is aimed to block a military revival by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of attempting to acquire arms since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The faction asserts it has followed requirements for it to cease its military presence in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to position there.