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The Israeli military allegedly targeted the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on Beirut's southern district, according to the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This was the initial airstrike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an zone renowned for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the strike was the military official Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source informed about the strike and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not state whether the official was fatally wounded.

American Notification Details

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israel did not notify the US administration prior about the strike, according to a social media post.

The official added that the administration was alerted right after the incident, and a second senior US official mentioned that the US had known for several days that Israeli forces was planning to escalate attacks in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The US enforced restrictions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, identifying him as a key military figure in the group and providing a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The strike impacted a primary street in the capital's southern suburbs, where locals mentioned noticing the noise of jets before the blast.

Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of concern of more bombings, per a journalist in the zone.

No fewer than two people were fatally wounded and several dozen were hurt and rushed to clinics in the vicinity, according to medical sources.

There was no prompt response from Hezbollah.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have taken the lives of its previous chief the group's past leader, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about thousands of militants.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

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

“We shall carry on to do whatever is necessary to hinder the group from restoring its capacity to pose a danger to us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has stepped up airstrikes in southern Lebanon, advancing a initiative of frequent strikes that it states is designed to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

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

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