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Israeli forces reportedly attacked the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed faction Hezbollah in a strike on the capital's southern suburbs, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.

This marked the initial strike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area known for housing Hezbollah officials.

Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai

The objective of the strike was the commanding officer the Hezbollah chief of staff, according to an Israeli source knowledgeable of the strike and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was fatally wounded.

American Alert Particulars

A senior US official stated that Israeli authorities did not alert the US administration prior about the strike, as mentioned in a online report.

The official added that the US government was notified immediately after the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the US had known for several days that Israeli forces was intending to increase operations in Lebanon.

Background on the Military Leader

The United States levied sanctions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, classifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and announcing a reward of up to $5m for details on him.

Attack Details and Consequences

The strike impacted a main road in the capital's southern suburbs, where residents reported hearing the noise of aircraft before the blast.

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

No fewer than two individuals were killed and approximately 24 were wounded and transported to medical facilities in the vicinity, per hospital staff.

There was no prompt response from Hezbollah.

Ongoing Israeli Campaign

Israeli strikes on the Lebanese faction over the past couple of years have eliminated its former leader Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the group's top military brass and about thousands of militants.

Comments from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader told his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the strike that Israel would persist to combat “terrorism” on multiple fronts.

“We shall carry on to do whatever is necessary to hinder the group from re-establishing its capacity to pose a danger to us,” he said.

Wider Context

Israel has increased airstrikes in southern Lebanon, pressing a operation of frequent strikes that it says is designed to hinder a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the frontier region.

Israeli authorities has charged Hezbollah of seeking to rearm since a US-backed ceasefire recently.

The faction says it has complied with conditions for it to terminate its military presence in the frontier area near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to position there.