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Israeli forces allegedly struck the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah in a airstrike on the capital's southern district, per the Israeli prime minister's office on the weekend.

This represented the first attack in months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an region recognized for housing officials from the group.

Objective Named as Military Leader

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

American Notification Details

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israel failed to inform the US administration beforehand about the strike, per a social media post.

The official noted that the administration was notified immediately after the strike, and a another American official said that the United States had had information for days that Israel was planning to intensify strikes in the country.

History on the Military Leader

The US imposed penalties on the Hezbollah official in recent years, identifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and announcing a bounty of up to five million dollars for intel on him.

Attack Particulars and Aftermath

The strike impacted a central avenue in Beirut's southern area, where residents stated detecting the roar of aircraft before the blast.

People hurried out of their residences out of apprehension of additional attacks, as stated by a correspondent in the area.

No fewer than two people were killed and several dozen were wounded and transported to medical facilities in the region, according to hospital staff.

There was no prompt response from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have killed its ex-head the group's past leader, a significant part of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader addressed his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would persist to combat “militant activities” on several fronts.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent the group from restoring its capability to pose a danger to us,” he stated.

Wider Situation

Israel has increased bombing raids in southern Lebanon, pressing a campaign of near-daily attacks that it claims is intended to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israel has accused the group of trying to rearm since a truce supported by the US last year.

The faction claims it has complied with requirements for it to terminate its military presence in the frontier area near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.