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The Israeli military reportedly targeted the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on Beirut's southern district, according to the Israeli prime minister's office on the weekend.

This was the initial attack in months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an area recognized for hosting officials from the group.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the attack was the military official Ali Tabtabai, per an source from Israel informed about the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was killed.

American Alert Particulars

A senior US official stated that Israel did not notify the US administration beforehand about the airstrike, per a digital update.

The official added that the US government was informed right after the strike, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had known for several days that Israeli forces was intending to intensify operations in Lebanon.

Background on the Target

The United States levied restrictions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, identifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and offering a bounty of up to $5m for details on him.

Attack Particulars and Consequences

The blast impacted a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where inhabitants reported detecting the noise of aircraft before the explosion.

Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of fear of more bombings, as stated by a reporter in the area.

At least two people were killed and two dozen were wounded and rushed to medical facilities in the area, according to health officials.

There was no prompt response from Hezbollah.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have killed its former leader the group's past leader, much of the high-ranking commanders and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would continue to combat “terrorism” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to hinder the group from re-establishing its capacity to threaten us,” he stated.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has escalated air attacks in the southern region, advancing a initiative of regular assaults that it claims is intended to prevent a military revival by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has alleged Hezbollah of attempting to acquire arms since a truce supported by the US recently.

The faction claims it has complied with conditions for it to end its armed deployment in the border region near Israel, and for the military forces to position there.