Israeli forces Target Lebanese group Military Leader in Lebanese capital Airstrike

Israeli forces reportedly attacked the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a operation on the capital's southern suburbs, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This was the initial airstrike in months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an area renowned for sheltering officials from the group.

Objective Identified as Military Leader

The focus of the attack was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source briefed on the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not reveal whether the official was eliminated.

American Notification Particulars

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

The official added that the administration was informed following the incident, and a second senior US official said that the US had known for several days that Israel was intending to increase attacks in the country.

History on the Military Leader

The US levied sanctions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, identifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and announcing a reward of up to $5m for details on him.

Strike Details and Aftermath

The blast struck a central avenue in Beirut's southern area, where inhabitants reported hearing the roar of warplanes before the explosion.

Civilians rushed out of their homes out of apprehension of further strikes, according to a correspondent in the region.

No fewer than two individuals were killed and two dozen were hurt and rushed to hospitals in the vicinity, as reported by health officials.

There was no prompt response from Hezbollah.

Ongoing Israel's Campaign

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have killed its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the high-ranking commanders and about thousands of militants.

Comments from Prime Minister

The Israeli leader informed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the attack that the country would continue to fight “militant activities” on various arenas.

“We shall carry on to do all that is required to hinder the group from re-establishing its capacity to threaten us,” he stated.

Wider Context

Israeli forces has escalated air attacks in south Lebanon, pressing a operation of near-daily attacks that it claims is designed to block a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of attempting to restock weapons since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year.

The group claims it has complied with stipulations for it to terminate its armed deployment in the border region near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to station there.