Israeli forces Strike Hezbollah Military Leader in Lebanese capital Airstrike

Israeli forces allegedly struck the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a operation on the capital's southern district, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This was the first attack in months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an area known for housing Hezbollah officials.

Target Named as Military Leader

The target of the strike was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an Israeli source informed about the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was eliminated.

American Notification Details

A senior US official revealed that Israel did not notify the US administration prior about the strike, as mentioned in a social media post.

The authority noted that the administration was notified immediately after the strike, and a another American official mentioned that the US had been aware for several days that Israel was preparing to increase attacks in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The US enforced sanctions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, classifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and announcing a incentive of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Attack Details and Consequences

The strike impacted a main road in the capital's southern suburbs, where inhabitants mentioned detecting the sound of jets before the detonation.

Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of fear of additional attacks, as stated by a reporter in the region.

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

There was no quick statement from the organization.

Ongoing Israeli Operations

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have killed its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader told his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that the country would continue to combat “terrorism” on several fronts.

“We shall carry on to do everything needed to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its capacity to threaten us,” he said.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has increased airstrikes in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of near-daily attacks that it says is aimed to block a military revival by the faction in the boundary zone.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rearm since a truce supported by the US recently.

The group asserts it has followed conditions for it to terminate its armed deployment in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the military forces to station there.