Israel Attack Hezbollah Military Leader in Beirut Operation

Israeli forces reportedly struck the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-aligned group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on the capital's southern district, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This was the first attack in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area renowned for housing officials from the group.

Target Identified as Military Leader

The focus of the attack was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel informed about the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether Tabtabai was eliminated.

US Notification Particulars

A senior US official stated that Israeli authorities did not alert Washington in advance about the operation, as mentioned in a online report.

The authority added that the administration was notified immediately after the strike, and a another American official said that the United States had known for days that Israeli forces was intending to intensify attacks in Lebanon.

History on the Military Leader

The US imposed penalties on the Hezbollah official in 2016, classifying him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and announcing a reward of up to five million dollars for information on him.

Attack Particulars and Consequences

The airstrike struck a primary street in the capital's southern area, where residents reported detecting the sound of aircraft before the blast.

People fled out of their residences out of fear of more bombings, per a correspondent in the region.

At least two individuals were lost their lives and several dozen were injured and rushed to hospitals in the vicinity, according to medical sources.

There was no immediate comment from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the last two years have eliminated its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Prime Minister

The prime minister addressed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would carry on to confront “militant activities” on multiple fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do everything needed to hinder the group from rebuilding its capacity to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israel has stepped up air attacks in south Lebanon, pressing a campaign of regular assaults that it says is intended to block a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israeli authorities has accused Hezbollah of trying to acquire arms since a American-endorsed peace agreement the previous year.

The group says it has abided by stipulations for it to terminate its troop placement in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to position there.