🔗 Share this article

The Israeli military reportedly attacked the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a strike on Beirut's southern district, per the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This represented the initial strike in months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an zone renowned for housing officials from the group.

Objective Named as Military Leader

The focus of the operation was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an Israeli source knowledgeable of the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not confirm whether the official was killed.

American Notification Particulars

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israel did not alert the US administration beforehand about the strike, as mentioned in a online report.

The official noted that the administration was informed right after the incident, and a another American official said that the United States had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was preparing to intensify strikes in Lebanon.

History on the Military Leader

The United States imposed penalties on Tabtabai in 2016, classifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and providing a reward of up to five million dollars for information on him.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The airstrike struck a main road in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents mentioned noticing the roar of warplanes before the blast.

Civilians fled out of their residences out of apprehension of further strikes, as stated by a journalist in the region.

No fewer than two individuals were killed and two dozen were wounded and taken to clinics in the area, according to hospital staff.

There was no prompt response from the group.

Ongoing Israeli Operations

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have eliminated its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader addressed his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would carry on to combat “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We shall carry on to do whatever is necessary to stop Hezbollah from re-establishing its capability to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Wider Situation

Israel has escalated air attacks in southern Lebanon, pressing a initiative of regular assaults that it states is intended to prevent a resurgence of forces by the faction in the border area.

Israeli authorities has charged the group of seeking to rearm since a American-endorsed peace agreement recently.

The group asserts it has followed conditions for it to end its military presence in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to position there.