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Israeli forces allegedly attacked the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern suburbs, according to the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This marked the initial attack in several months on the southern district of the capital city, an area known for sheltering officials from the group.

Target Named as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the operation was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, per an Israeli source knowledgeable of the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not confirm whether the official was eliminated.

US Notification Details

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities did not alert Washington beforehand about the operation, as mentioned in a online report.

The official clarified that the US government was informed following the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the US had known for several days that Israel was planning to increase operations in the country.

History on the Target

The United States enforced sanctions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, classifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and announcing a incentive of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Strike Particulars and Consequences

The airstrike impacted a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where inhabitants mentioned detecting the sound of warplanes before the blast.

People rushed out of their apartment buildings out of fear of more bombings, per a journalist in the region.

No fewer than two people were fatally wounded and several dozen were wounded and transported to medical facilities in the region, as reported by medical sources.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Ongoing Israel's Operations

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have eliminated its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader told his cabinet on Sunday morning before the attack that the country would persist to combat “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to hinder the group from rebuilding its capacity to threaten us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israel has escalated air attacks in southern Lebanon, advancing a operation of regular assaults that it claims is designed to hinder a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the border area.

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

The group claims it has abided by requirements for it to cease its troop placement in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the national army to station there.