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The Israeli military allegedly targeted the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed faction the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern district, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This was the initial strike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area known for housing officials from the group.

Objective Identified as Military Leader

The focus of the attack was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, per an source from Israel briefed on the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not reveal whether the official was killed.

American Notification Details

A high-ranking American official indicated that Israeli authorities failed to inform the US administration in advance about the operation, as mentioned in a social media post.

The official added that the administration was informed right after the strike, and a second senior US official said that the US had been aware for days that Israeli forces was preparing to escalate strikes in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States imposed restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, identifying him as a critical military figure in the group and offering a reward of up to $5m for information on him.

Attack Particulars and Aftermath

The airstrike hit a primary street in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents mentioned detecting the sound of aircraft before the explosion.

Civilians fled out of their residences out of concern of further strikes, according to a correspondent in the region.

No fewer than two people were lost their lives and approximately 24 were injured and transported to medical facilities in the area, according to medical sources.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Ongoing Israel's Operations

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have eliminated its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader informed his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would continue to confront “terrorism” on various arenas.

“Our efforts will persist to do everything needed to hinder the group from rebuilding its ability to threaten us,” he said.

Wider Context

Israeli forces has increased bombing raids in southern Lebanon, advancing a operation of regular assaults that it states is designed to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israel has alleged the group of trying to restock weapons since a truce supported by the US the previous year.

The group asserts it has followed requirements for it to terminate its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to station there.