🔗 Share this article

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

This represented the first strike in several months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an region recognized for housing officials from the group.

Target Identified as Military Leader

The focus of the strike was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, per an Israeli source briefed on the strike and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

US Notification Particulars

A senior US official indicated that Israel failed to inform Washington prior about the operation, per a digital update.

The authority clarified that the US government was alerted right after the incident, and a another American official stated that the US had had information for days that Israel was intending to increase operations in Lebanon.

History on the Military Leader

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

Attack Details and Aftermath

The blast struck a main road in the capital's southern suburbs, where inhabitants stated noticing the noise of aircraft before the explosion.

People fled out of their residences out of concern of more bombings, as stated by a correspondent in the area.

At least two people were killed and approximately 24 were hurt and transported to clinics in the area, according to hospital staff.

There was no immediate comment from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the recent period have killed its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Prime Minister

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

“Our efforts will persist to do all that is required to stop Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to pose a danger to us,” he stated.

Wider Context

Israel has stepped up air attacks in southern Lebanon, continuing a operation of regular assaults that it says is aimed to prevent a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the border area.

Israeli authorities has accused Hezbollah of trying to restock weapons since a truce supported by the US recently.

The faction says it has followed requirements for it to cease its military presence in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to position there.