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The Israeli military reportedly attacked the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a strike on the capital's southern district, according to the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This was the initial attack in several months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an area known for hosting Hezbollah officials.

Objective Identified as Military Leader

The objective of the attack was the military official Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel briefed on the incident and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not confirm whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.

American Alert Details

A senior US official revealed that Israel failed to inform Washington beforehand about the airstrike, as mentioned in a digital update.

The authority noted that the US government was alerted following the incident, and a second senior US official stated that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was intending to intensify strikes in Lebanon.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States enforced penalties on Tabtabai in recent years, classifying him as a critical military figure in the group and announcing a incentive of up to $5m for information on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The blast hit a central avenue in Beirut's southern area, where locals mentioned hearing the noise of jets before the detonation.

Residents hurried out of their homes out of apprehension of additional attacks, per a journalist in the area.

At least two individuals were fatally wounded and approximately 24 were injured and rushed to clinics in the region, according to health officials.

There was no prompt response from the group.

Recent Israel's Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the last two years have killed its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, much of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.

Comments from Prime Minister

The prime minister told his government ministers on Sunday morning before the attack that the country would continue to combat “militant activities” on multiple fronts.

“Our efforts will persist to do all that is required to hinder Hezbollah from re-establishing its capacity to threaten us,” he stated.

Wider Context

Israeli forces has escalated bombing raids in south Lebanon, continuing a operation of near-daily attacks that it states is designed to prevent a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israel has alleged Hezbollah of trying to rearm since a truce supported by the US last year.

The faction says it has abided by requirements for it to end its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.