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The Israeli military allegedly struck the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed faction the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on the capital's southern suburbs, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This represented the first airstrike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area recognized for sheltering officials from the group.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the operation was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source briefed on the incident and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not confirm whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

American Alert Details

A high-ranking American official indicated that Israel failed to inform Washington prior about the strike, according to a digital update.

The official added that the US government was notified immediately after the strike, and a second senior US official stated that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was intending to increase operations in Lebanon.

History on the Military Leader

The US levied penalties on Tabtabai in recent years, labeling him as a key Hezbollah military leader and announcing a bounty of up to $5m for details on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The strike struck a central avenue in the capital's southern area, where locals mentioned noticing the roar of jets before the blast.

Civilians fled out of their homes out of apprehension of further strikes, as stated by a journalist in the zone.

At least two individuals were lost their lives and several dozen were wounded and taken to medical facilities in the area, as reported by hospital staff.

There was no immediate comment from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have eliminated its ex-head the group's past leader, much of the group's top military brass and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Prime Minister

The prime minister told his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the strike that the country would continue to fight “terrorism” on several fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do everything needed to hinder the group from re-establishing its capability to endanger our security,” he said.

Wider Context

Israel has increased bombing raids in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it claims is designed to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the frontier region.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of attempting to acquire arms since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The group claims it has abided by conditions for it to terminate its troop placement in the frontier area near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to position there.