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The Israeli military allegedly attacked the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a operation on Beirut's southern suburbs, according to the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This was the first airstrike in several months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an zone recognized for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Military Leader

The focus of the strike was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, per an source from Israel briefed on the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not confirm whether Tabtabai was killed.

US Alert Details

A high-ranking American official stated that Israeli authorities did not notify Washington prior about the strike, according to a digital update.

The official clarified that the administration was notified right after the strike, and a second senior US official mentioned that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was preparing to escalate attacks in Lebanon.

Background on the Military Leader

The US enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in recent years, labeling him as a critical military figure in the group and providing a reward of up to $5m for intel on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The strike struck a central avenue in the capital's southern area, where locals mentioned noticing the noise of jets before the explosion.

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

At least two individuals were lost their lives and approximately 24 were injured and transported to hospitals in the region, per hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Recent Israeli Operations

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have taken the lives of its ex-head the group's past leader, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about thousands of militants.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the strike that the country would continue to fight “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its ability to endanger our security,” he stated.

Broader Context

Israel has escalated airstrikes in south Lebanon, continuing a campaign of frequent strikes that it claims is aimed to block a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has charged Hezbollah of attempting to restock weapons since a American-endorsed peace agreement the previous year.

The group says it has abided by stipulations for it to cease its military presence in the border region near Israel, and for the military forces to position there.