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Israeli forces allegedly targeted the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed faction Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern district, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on the weekend.

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

Target Identified as Military Leader

The focus of the operation was the military official the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source informed about the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not state whether Tabtabai was killed.

American Notification Details

A senior US official stated that Israel did not notify Washington in advance about the operation, per a online report.

The official noted that the US government was informed following the strike, and a second senior US official said that the US had been aware for several days that Israel was preparing to increase strikes in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States enforced penalties on Tabtabai in recent years, labeling him as a key Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.

Attack Particulars and Aftermath

The strike impacted a central avenue in the capital's southern suburbs, where locals reported hearing the noise of warplanes before the blast.

Civilians hurried out of their homes out of apprehension of additional attacks, as stated by a journalist in the region.

At least two people were lost their lives and approximately 24 were injured and rushed to clinics in the vicinity, as reported by health officials.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Recent Israeli Campaign

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the recent period have killed its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the high-ranking commanders and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader told his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would persist to fight “terrorism” on various arenas.

“Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has escalated air attacks in the southern region, pressing a campaign of regular assaults that it claims is designed to hinder a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israel has accused the group of attempting to restock weapons since a US-backed ceasefire the previous year.

The faction claims it has abided by stipulations for it to terminate its armed deployment in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the national army to station there.