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The Israeli military reportedly targeted the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on Beirut's southern district, per the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This marked the initial strike in months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an zone known for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Military Leader

The focus of the attack was the military official Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source knowledgeable of the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

US Alert Particulars

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israel did not notify the US administration in advance about the strike, according to a digital update.

The official clarified that the US government was notified immediately after the strike, and a second senior US official mentioned that the United States had known for several days that Israeli forces was planning to intensify strikes in Lebanon.

Background on the Target

The United States levied restrictions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, identifying him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and providing a bounty of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The strike struck a primary street in the capital's southern area, where locals mentioned detecting the noise of warplanes before the explosion.

Civilians rushed out of their apartment buildings out of concern of additional attacks, as stated by a correspondent in the area.

At least two people were killed and two dozen were hurt and rushed to clinics in the region, as reported by hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from the organization.

Ongoing Israel's Operations

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the last two years have taken the lives of its former leader the group's past leader, much of the high-ranking commanders and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader informed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would continue to fight “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its capability to threaten us,” he stated.

Wider Situation

Israeli forces has increased bombing raids in south Lebanon, pressing a operation of near-daily attacks that it claims is aimed to hinder a military revival by the faction in the border area.

Israel has accused the group of seeking to restock weapons since a truce supported by the US recently.

The group claims it has abided by conditions for it to terminate its armed deployment in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to station there.