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

This represented the initial attack in months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an zone known for sheltering Hezbollah officials.

Objective Identified as Military Leader

The target of the attack was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source briefed on the strike and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was killed.

US Notification Particulars

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israel did not notify Washington in advance about the airstrike, as mentioned in a social media post.

The authority noted that the administration was informed right after the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the US had been aware for several days that Israel was intending to increase attacks in the country.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States imposed restrictions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, classifying him as a key military figure in the group and offering a reward of up to $5m for information on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The airstrike hit a main road in Beirut's southern area, where residents reported detecting the noise of aircraft before the detonation.

Civilians fled out of their apartment buildings out of apprehension of further strikes, as stated by a reporter in the zone.

No fewer than two people were lost their lives and two dozen were wounded and transported to medical facilities in the region, as reported by health officials.

There was no quick statement from Hezbollah.

Recent Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the last two years have killed its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the senior military leadership and about five thousand combatants.

Comments from Prime Minister

The prime minister addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would continue to combat “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do everything needed to prevent the group from re-establishing its ability to pose a danger to us,” he stated.

Broader Context

Israel has increased bombing raids in southern Lebanon, continuing a campaign of frequent strikes that it states is intended to hinder a military revival by the faction in the frontier region.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of attempting to rearm since a truce supported by the US the previous year.

The faction claims it has abided by conditions for it to end its troop placement in the frontier area near the Israeli border, and for the national army to position there.