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Israeli forces allegedly attacked the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This was the first airstrike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area renowned for hosting officials from the group.

Target Named as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the strike was the military official Ali Tabtabai, per an source from Israel briefed on the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not confirm whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

American Notification Particulars

A senior US official revealed that Israel did not notify the US administration beforehand about the operation, per a online report.

The authority noted that the US government was alerted immediately after the strike, and a another American official stated that the United States had been aware for days that Israel was planning to increase attacks in Lebanon.

Background on the Military Leader

The US imposed penalties on Tabtabai in 2016, classifying him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and offering a incentive of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The strike impacted a central avenue in Beirut's southern area, where locals reported hearing the sound of jets before the detonation.

Civilians hurried out of their residences out of apprehension of additional attacks, according to a journalist in the area.

No fewer than two individuals were fatally wounded and two dozen were wounded and transported to medical facilities in the vicinity, according to medical sources.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the last two years have eliminated its former leader the group's past leader, much of the group's top military brass and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister informed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would carry on to fight “terrorism” on several fronts.

“We shall carry on to do whatever is necessary to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its capability to threaten us,” he declared.

Broader Situation

Israeli forces has escalated bombing raids in south Lebanon, advancing a operation of near-daily attacks that it states is designed to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israel has charged the group of attempting to acquire arms since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The faction says it has abided by requirements for it to end its military presence in the boundary zone near Israel, and for the national army to station there.