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Israeli forces allegedly struck the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a operation on Beirut's southern suburbs, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This represented the first airstrike in several months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an zone recognized for hosting officials from the group.

Target Named as Military Leader

The focus of the operation was the military official Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel knowledgeable of the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not state whether Tabtabai was eliminated.

American Notification Particulars

A high-ranking American official indicated that Israel did not alert Washington beforehand about the strike, per a digital update.

The authority added that the US government was informed following the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had had information for days that Israel was preparing to increase operations in the country.

Background on the Target

The United States imposed restrictions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, identifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and announcing a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.

Attack Particulars and Aftermath

The strike hit a primary street in the capital's southern area, where residents mentioned noticing the roar of jets before the detonation.

People rushed out of their residences out of fear of further strikes, as stated by a journalist in the region.

At least two people were lost their lives and two dozen were injured and rushed to medical facilities in the region, according to hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Recent Israel's Operations

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the recent period have killed its ex-head the group's past leader, a significant part of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the strike that Israel would carry on to fight “militant activities” on multiple fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to prevent the group from re-establishing its capacity to endanger our security,” he declared.

Broader Context

Israel has escalated airstrikes in south Lebanon, advancing a operation of frequent strikes that it says is intended to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the boundary zone.

Israel has charged the group of trying to restock weapons since a US-backed ceasefire recently.

The faction asserts it has complied with requirements for it to cease its military presence in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the national army to deploy there.