🔗 Share this article

The Israeli military allegedly targeted the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on the capital's southern district, per the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This marked the initial airstrike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an region recognized for hosting officials from the group.

Target Identified as Military Leader

The target of the strike was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an source from Israel knowledgeable of the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not confirm whether the official was fatally wounded.

American Alert Particulars

A high-ranking American official indicated that Israel did not alert the US administration prior about the airstrike, according to a online report.

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

History on the Target

The US enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, labeling him as a prominent military figure in the group and announcing a reward of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Strike Particulars and Aftermath

The strike impacted a main road in Beirut's southern suburbs, where locals reported noticing the sound of aircraft before the explosion.

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

At least two individuals were killed and two dozen were hurt and rushed to clinics in the area, per medical sources.

There was no prompt response from the organization.

Ongoing Israeli Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have eliminated its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, much of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Prime Minister

The prime minister informed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the attack that the country would carry on to fight “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We will continue to do all that is required to stop the group from restoring its capability to threaten us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israel has increased air attacks in southern Lebanon, pressing a operation of near-daily attacks that it states is aimed to prevent a resurgence of forces by the faction in the frontier region.

Israeli authorities has accused the group of attempting to restock weapons since a American-endorsed peace agreement the previous year.

The group asserts it has abided by requirements for it to terminate its troop placement in the frontier area near Israel, and for the military forces to station there.