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The Israeli military reportedly attacked the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-aligned faction the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern district, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

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

Target Named as Military Leader

The objective of the operation was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, according to an source from Israel informed about the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not state whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

American Alert Details

A high-ranking American official indicated that Israeli authorities failed to inform the US administration prior about the strike, per a online report.

The official clarified that the administration was notified right after the strike, and a another American official said that the US had been aware for several days that Israel was planning to increase operations in the country.

History on the Target

The United States levied sanctions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, identifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and offering a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.

Strike Particulars and Aftermath

The airstrike hit a central avenue in the capital's southern suburbs, where locals reported detecting the roar of jets before the blast.

People hurried out of their homes out of apprehension of more bombings, according to a reporter in the zone.

No fewer than two individuals were lost their lives and two dozen were hurt and taken to hospitals in the region, according to medical sources.

There was no quick statement from the organization.

Recent Israeli Operations

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have killed its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Prime Minister

The prime minister addressed his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the strike that the country would persist to fight “terrorism” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to stop Hezbollah from restoring its capability to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Wider Context

Israel has stepped up bombing raids in south Lebanon, pressing a campaign of near-daily attacks that it states is aimed to prevent a resurgence of forces by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has accused the group of seeking to acquire arms since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The faction says it has complied with stipulations for it to terminate its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to station there.