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The Israeli military reportedly struck the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern district, according to the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This marked the initial strike in several months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an region renowned for hosting officials from the group.

Target Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the operation was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source informed about the strike and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not state whether the official was eliminated.

American Alert Details

A high-ranking American official stated that Israeli authorities did not alert the US administration beforehand about the operation, as mentioned in a digital update.

The authority noted that the administration was informed right after the incident, and a second senior US official mentioned that the United States had been aware for days that Israel was planning to intensify attacks in the country.

History on the Military Leader

The US levied penalties on Tabtabai in 2016, labeling him as a key military figure in the group and providing a reward of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Strike Particulars and Consequences

The blast struck a main road in the capital's southern area, where locals reported detecting the roar of jets before the explosion.

Civilians fled out of their homes out of apprehension of further strikes, according to a journalist in the region.

No fewer than two individuals were killed and two dozen were wounded and taken to hospitals in the area, as reported by health officials.

There was no prompt response from the organization.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the last two years have eliminated its former leader the group's past leader, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader told his government ministers on Sunday morning before the attack that Israel would continue to combat “terrorism” on several fronts.

“We shall carry on to do whatever is necessary to hinder Hezbollah from re-establishing its capacity to endanger our security,” he declared.

Wider Context

Israel has stepped up air attacks in south Lebanon, continuing a operation of regular assaults that it states is intended to prevent a resurgence of forces by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has accused the group of attempting to acquire arms since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The faction says it has complied with requirements for it to cease its armed deployment in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the national army to position there.