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Israeli forces allegedly attacked the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-aligned faction Hezbollah in a airstrike on Beirut's southern district, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

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

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the strike was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel knowledgeable of the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was killed.

US Alert Details

A high-ranking American official stated that Israeli authorities failed to inform Washington beforehand about the strike, as mentioned in a online report.

The official added that the administration was notified right after the strike, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had known for several days that Israeli forces was intending to increase attacks in the country.

History on the Target

The US enforced sanctions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, identifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and offering a reward of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The strike impacted a main road in the capital's southern area, where inhabitants reported hearing the roar of aircraft before the detonation.

Residents fled out of their apartment buildings out of apprehension of further strikes, per a correspondent in the region.

At least two individuals were lost their lives and two dozen were wounded and rushed to hospitals in the region, per medical sources.

There was no prompt response from Hezbollah.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have killed its ex-head the group's past leader, much of the high-ranking commanders and about thousands of militants.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader told his government ministers on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would carry on to combat “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do everything needed to hinder the group from re-establishing its capacity to threaten us,” he said.

Broader Context

Israel has stepped up air attacks in south Lebanon, pressing a initiative of frequent strikes that it states is intended to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of trying to rearm since a truce supported by the US the previous year.

The faction asserts it has followed requirements for it to terminate its armed deployment in the frontier area near Israel, and for the national army to station there.