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The Israeli military reportedly targeted the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This was the initial strike in months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an region known for housing Hezbollah officials.

Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the strike was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, as reported by an Israeli source knowledgeable of the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not confirm whether Tabtabai was eliminated.

American Alert Details

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

The official clarified that the US government was informed following the incident, and a another American official stated that the United States had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was planning to escalate attacks in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States imposed sanctions on Tabtabai in 2016, identifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and announcing a bounty of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Strike Details and Consequences

The airstrike struck a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where inhabitants mentioned noticing the sound of jets before the explosion.

Civilians fled out of their homes out of concern of more bombings, per a correspondent in the region.

At least two individuals were lost their lives and several dozen were injured and transported to hospitals in the vicinity, per hospital staff.

There was no immediate comment from the group.

Recent Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the last two years have eliminated its former leader the group's past leader, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader informed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would continue to fight “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do everything needed to hinder the group from rebuilding its ability to threaten us,” he said.

Wider Situation

Israeli forces has stepped up air attacks in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of near-daily attacks that it says is aimed to prevent a military revival by the faction in the border area.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of trying to restock weapons since a American-endorsed peace agreement the previous year.

The faction says it has abided by requirements for it to end its armed deployment in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the national army to position there.