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The Israeli military allegedly attacked the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern suburbs, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This represented the first strike in months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an region known for sheltering officials from the group.

Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the operation was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an source from Israel knowledgeable of the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether the official was eliminated.

US Alert Particulars

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities failed to inform Washington beforehand about the strike, as mentioned in a digital update.

The official noted that the US government was informed immediately after the incident, and a second senior US official stated that the United States had been aware for days that Israel was intending to escalate operations in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The US imposed restrictions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, labeling him as a key Hezbollah military leader and offering a reward of up to $5m for intel on him.

Strike Particulars and Consequences

The strike hit a central avenue in the capital's southern area, where inhabitants stated noticing the roar of aircraft before the detonation.

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

No fewer than two individuals were killed and two dozen were hurt and taken to hospitals in the vicinity, according to hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from Hezbollah.

Recent Israel's Operations

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have eliminated its former leader the group's past leader, a large portion of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The prime minister informed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would carry on to combat “terrorism” on various arenas.

“Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to stop Hezbollah from re-establishing its capability to threaten us,” he declared.

Broader Context

Israeli forces has stepped up bombing raids in southern Lebanon, continuing a initiative of near-daily attacks that it claims is intended to hinder a military revival by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has charged Hezbollah of seeking to acquire arms since a US-backed ceasefire the previous year.

The group says it has complied with stipulations for it to cease its military presence in the border region near Israel, and for the military forces to position there.