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Israeli forces allegedly struck the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-aligned group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on the capital's southern suburbs, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This represented the first attack in several months on the southern district of the capital city, an zone recognized for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the attack was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source briefed on the incident and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

American Notification Particulars

A high-ranking American official stated that Israel did not notify Washington in advance about the airstrike, per a online report.

The authority noted that the administration was notified following the strike, and a another American official mentioned that the US had been aware for several days that Israel was planning to increase operations in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The US enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in recent years, classifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and offering a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The airstrike struck a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents mentioned detecting the noise of jets before the detonation.

Residents fled out of their apartment buildings out of concern of additional attacks, as stated by a correspondent in the zone.

At least two people were fatally wounded and approximately 24 were hurt and taken to hospitals in the region, per health officials.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

Recent Israeli Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have taken the lives of its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, 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 Sunday morning before the attack that Israel would continue to confront “militant activities” on multiple fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do all that is required to prevent the group from re-establishing its ability to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israel has increased bombing raids in southern Lebanon, pressing a campaign of frequent strikes that it says is aimed to block a military revival by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has accused the group of trying to acquire arms since a truce supported by the US last year.

The group asserts it has complied with requirements for it to end its armed deployment in the frontier area near Israel, and for the national army to station there.