🔗 Share this article

The Israeli military reportedly attacked the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-aligned faction Hezbollah in a operation on Beirut's southern suburbs, according to the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This marked the initial attack in months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an area renowned for hosting Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

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

US Alert Particulars

A senior US official revealed that Israel did not alert the US administration in advance about the airstrike, according to a social media post.

The official added that the US government was informed right after the incident, and a another American official stated that the United States had been aware for days that Israel was intending to escalate attacks in the country.

Background on the Target

The United States levied sanctions on Tabtabai in recent years, labeling him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and providing a reward of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Strike Details and Consequences

The strike hit a main road in the capital's southern area, where residents stated hearing the sound of aircraft before the explosion.

Residents hurried out of their homes out of fear of more bombings, according to a correspondent in the area.

No fewer than two people were killed and several dozen were injured and taken to medical facilities in the region, as reported by health officials.

There was no quick statement from Hezbollah.

Ongoing Israel's Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the last two years have taken the lives of its ex-head the group's past leader, much of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The prime minister informed his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would carry on to confront “terrorism” on various arenas.

“Our efforts will persist to do everything needed to prevent the group from re-establishing its capability to threaten us,” he declared.

Wider Situation

Israeli forces has increased air attacks in southern Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it states is aimed to prevent a resurgence of forces by the faction in the frontier region.

Israeli authorities has alleged the group of seeking to restock weapons since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The faction says it has followed requirements for it to cease its military presence in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the military forces to position there.