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Israeli forces reportedly targeted the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-aligned faction the Hezbollah organization in a operation on Beirut's southern district, according to the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This marked the initial airstrike in several months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an area known for hosting officials from the group.

Target Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The focus of the operation was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, according to an source from Israel knowledgeable of the strike and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was killed.

American Notification Particulars

A senior US official stated that Israeli authorities did not notify Washington in advance about the airstrike, according to a social media post.

The official clarified that the administration was alerted following the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had had information for days that Israeli forces was intending to intensify strikes in Lebanon.

Background on the Target

The United States levied penalties on the Hezbollah official in 2016, identifying him as a key Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Strike Details and Consequences

The blast struck a main road in the capital's southern area, where inhabitants stated detecting the noise of jets before the detonation.

Civilians fled out of their homes out of apprehension of additional attacks, as stated by a correspondent in the zone.

No fewer than two individuals were lost their lives and approximately 24 were hurt and rushed to clinics in the region, according to health officials.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

Ongoing Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the recent period have taken the lives of its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the high-ranking commanders and about thousands of militants.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader informed his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the strike that Israel would carry on to confront “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its capability to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Wider Situation

Israeli forces has increased air attacks in southern Lebanon, continuing a campaign of regular assaults that it says is intended to prevent a military revival by the faction in the boundary zone.

Israeli authorities has charged the group of trying to rearm since a truce supported by the US the previous year.

The faction asserts it has followed stipulations for it to terminate its armed deployment in the frontier area near Israel, and for the national army to deploy there.