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Israeli forces reportedly struck the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed faction Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern district, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

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

Objective Identified as Military Leader

The focus of the strike was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel knowledgeable of the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether the official was fatally wounded.

US Notification Details

A high-ranking American official stated that Israel failed to inform the US administration in advance about the airstrike, per a social media post.

The official clarified that the US government was informed following the strike, and a another American official said that the United States had been aware for days that Israel was preparing to increase attacks in the country.

History on the Military Leader

The US enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, classifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and announcing a reward of up to $5m for intel on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The blast struck a central avenue in Beirut's southern area, where inhabitants stated hearing the sound of warplanes before the detonation.

Civilians hurried out of their apartment buildings out of apprehension of more bombings, according to a journalist in the zone.

At least two people were fatally wounded and approximately 24 were hurt and transported to clinics in the vicinity, as reported by medical sources.

There was no immediate comment from the organization.

Ongoing Israel's Operations

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the recent period have taken the lives of its former leader the group's past leader, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would carry on to fight “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do everything needed to prevent Hezbollah from restoring its ability to threaten us,” he stated.

Wider Situation

Israel has stepped up airstrikes in southern Lebanon, advancing a initiative of near-daily attacks that it states is designed to prevent a military revival by Hezbollah in the border area.

Israeli authorities has alleged the group of attempting to rearm since a truce supported by the US recently.

The group claims it has complied with conditions for it to end its troop placement in the frontier area near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to station there.