🔗 Share this article

Israeli forces reportedly targeted the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern district, per the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This marked the first airstrike in several months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an area known for hosting officials from the group.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The focus of the strike was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an source from Israel knowledgeable of the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not state whether Tabtabai was killed.

US Alert Particulars

A senior US official indicated that Israeli authorities did not notify the US administration in advance about the airstrike, per a digital update.

The authority added that the administration was alerted following the incident, and a another American official said that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was planning to increase attacks in Lebanon.

History on the Target

The United States levied sanctions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, identifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and providing a reward of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Attack Details and Consequences

The airstrike hit a primary street in the capital's southern suburbs, where residents mentioned hearing the noise of warplanes before the explosion.

Civilians rushed out of their homes out of concern of further strikes, according to a journalist in the zone.

At least two people were lost their lives and approximately 24 were injured and rushed to hospitals in the vicinity, according to hospital staff.

There was no prompt response from the group.

Recent Israel's Operations

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have killed its former leader the group's past leader, a significant part of the senior military leadership and about thousands of militants.

Comments from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader addressed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the strike that the country would carry on to combat “terrorism” on various arenas.

“Our efforts will persist to do all that is required to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its ability to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Broader Context

Israel has stepped up bombing raids in south Lebanon, continuing a campaign of regular assaults that it claims is intended to prevent a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israel has alleged Hezbollah of seeking to restock weapons since a US-backed ceasefire the previous year.

The group claims it has abided by conditions for it to cease its troop placement in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.