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The Israeli military reportedly attacked the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a operation on Beirut's southern suburbs, according to the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This was the initial airstrike in months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an region known for hosting officials from the group.

Objective Identified as Military Leader

The objective of the strike was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source briefed on the strike and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not reveal whether the official was eliminated.

American Notification Particulars

A high-ranking American official stated that Israel did not alert the US administration prior about the airstrike, according to a online report.

The authority added that the administration was informed right after the incident, and a second senior US official said that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was planning to intensify operations in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States enforced restrictions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, classifying him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.

Attack Particulars and Aftermath

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

Civilians hurried out of their apartment buildings out of fear of additional attacks, per a reporter in the zone.

At least two individuals were killed and approximately 24 were hurt and transported to medical facilities in the region, per medical sources.

There was no prompt response from the organization.

Ongoing Israeli Operations

Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the recent period have eliminated its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the attack that Israel would continue to fight “militant activities” on multiple fronts.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to prevent the group from rebuilding its capability to endanger our security,” he said.

Wider Context

Israeli forces has escalated bombing raids in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it states is aimed to hinder a military revival by Hezbollah in the border area.

Israel has charged the group of trying to rearm since a US-backed ceasefire last year.

The group says it has abided by conditions for it to cease its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to deploy there.