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Israeli forces allegedly targeted the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-aligned group the Hezbollah organization in a operation on Beirut's southern district, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This represented the first airstrike in several months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an area renowned for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Target Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the strike was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source knowledgeable of the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was eliminated.

American Alert Particulars

A senior US official stated that Israeli authorities did not notify Washington prior about the airstrike, per a social media post.

The official clarified that the US government was alerted following the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the US had been aware for days that Israel was intending to escalate operations in Lebanon.

Background on the Target

The United States enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, identifying him as a critical military figure in the group and providing a incentive of up to $5m for details on him.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The airstrike impacted a primary street in the capital's southern area, where residents mentioned noticing the roar of warplanes before the detonation.

Civilians rushed out of their residences out of apprehension of additional attacks, according to a reporter in the area.

No fewer than two people were lost their lives and approximately 24 were injured and taken to clinics in the area, as reported by medical sources.

There was no quick statement from Hezbollah.

Ongoing Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have killed its previous chief the group's past leader, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about thousands of militants.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister informed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would persist to combat “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to prevent the group from re-establishing its ability to threaten us,” he said.

Broader Situation

Israel has escalated airstrikes in southern Lebanon, continuing a initiative of near-daily attacks that it states is intended to prevent a military revival by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israel has alleged the group of attempting to acquire arms since a truce supported by the US the previous year.

The faction asserts it has followed stipulations for it to end its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to deploy there.