🔗 Share this article

Israeli forces reportedly attacked the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on the capital's southern suburbs, according to the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This was the first airstrike in several months on the southern district of the capital city, an region recognized for hosting officials from the group.

Objective Named as Ali Tabtabai

The target of the strike was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel informed about the incident and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not reveal whether the official was eliminated.

US Notification Details

A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities did not alert the US administration in advance about the strike, per a online report.

The authority noted that the administration was informed immediately after the incident, and a another American official stated that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was intending to intensify strikes in Lebanon.

History on the Target

The United States levied penalties on Tabtabai in 2016, labeling him as a critical military figure in the group and announcing a incentive of up to five million dollars for information on him.

Strike Details and Consequences

The blast struck a main road in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents stated detecting the sound of aircraft before the explosion.

People rushed out of their apartment buildings out of fear of additional attacks, as stated by a journalist in the zone.

No fewer than two people were killed and several dozen were injured and taken to medical facilities in the area, per hospital staff.

There was no quick statement from the group.

Ongoing Israeli Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the last two years have taken the lives of its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the group's top military brass and about 5,000 fighters.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader told his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would persist to combat “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to hinder the group from re-establishing its ability to threaten us,” he stated.

Broader Context

Israel has escalated bombing raids in south Lebanon, pressing a campaign of near-daily attacks that it claims is intended to prevent a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israeli authorities has alleged the group of attempting to acquire arms since a truce supported by the US last year.

The faction asserts it has abided by stipulations for it to cease its armed deployment in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the national army to station there.