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The Israeli military allegedly struck the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a strike on the capital's southern suburbs, according to the office of the Israeli PM on the weekend.

This was the initial strike in several months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an area recognized for housing officials from the group.

Target Named as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the attack was the commanding officer Ali Tabtabai, per an Israeli source briefed on the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not confirm whether the official was fatally wounded.

American Alert Particulars

A senior US official indicated that Israel did not notify the US administration beforehand about the operation, per a social media post.

The authority noted that the administration was alerted immediately after the incident, and a second senior US official mentioned that the US had had information for days that Israeli forces was intending to escalate strikes in the country.

History on the Military Leader

The US levied restrictions on Tabtabai in recent years, classifying him as a key military figure in the group and offering a incentive of up to five million dollars for information on him.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The strike hit a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents reported noticing the roar of aircraft before the detonation.

People fled out of their homes out of fear of more bombings, according to a journalist in the area.

At least two individuals were fatally wounded and two dozen were injured and transported to clinics in the area, as reported by hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the past couple of years have eliminated its ex-head the group's past leader, a large portion of the high-ranking commanders and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Prime Minister

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that the country would carry on to fight “militant activities” on multiple fronts.

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

Broader Context

Israeli forces has escalated bombing raids in south Lebanon, advancing a campaign of regular assaults that it says is aimed to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the boundary zone.

Israel has accused the group of attempting to rearm since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The group asserts it has complied with requirements for it to terminate its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the national army to deploy there.