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Israeli forces allegedly attacked the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This marked the initial airstrike in several months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an zone renowned for housing officials from the group.

Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The focus of the operation was the military official the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source briefed on the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was killed.

American Alert Details

A senior US official revealed that Israel did not notify the US administration prior about the strike, per a social media post.

The official clarified that the administration was informed immediately after the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had known for several days that Israel was intending to escalate operations in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States imposed restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, labeling him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and announcing a reward of up to $5m for details on him.

Attack Details and Consequences

The airstrike struck a primary street in Beirut's southern suburbs, where locals reported hearing the sound of warplanes before the detonation.

Civilians fled out of their residences out of concern of further strikes, as stated by a journalist in the region.

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

There was no prompt response from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the recent period have eliminated its previous chief the group's past leader, much of the group's top military brass and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister addressed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the attack that Israel would persist to confront “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We shall carry on to do whatever is necessary to hinder the group from rebuilding its ability to threaten us,” he stated.

Broader Context

Israeli forces has increased airstrikes in the southern region, pressing a campaign of frequent strikes that it says is intended to hinder a military revival by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israeli authorities has charged the group of seeking to restock weapons since a truce supported by the US last year.

The faction says it has complied with conditions for it to end its military presence in the frontier area near Israel, and for the military forces to station there.