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The Israeli military allegedly attacked the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a operation on the capital's southern suburbs, as stated by the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.

This represented the first attack in several months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an region recognized for hosting Hezbollah officials.

Objective Named as Military Leader

The objective of the operation was the military official Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an Israeli source briefed on the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The PM's office did not confirm whether the official was eliminated.

US Notification Details

A senior US official revealed that Israeli authorities did not alert the US administration prior about the airstrike, according to a online report.

The official clarified that the US government was alerted following the incident, and a second senior US official mentioned that the United States had known for days that Israeli forces was preparing to intensify strikes in Lebanon.

History on the Military Leader

The United States enforced sanctions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, identifying him as a prominent Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to five million dollars for details on him.

Strike Details and Consequences

The airstrike hit a central avenue in the capital's southern suburbs, where inhabitants stated hearing the sound of warplanes before the detonation.

Civilians fled out of their homes out of fear of further strikes, according to a correspondent in the zone.

No fewer than two individuals were lost their lives and approximately 24 were injured and rushed to clinics in the vicinity, as reported by health officials.

There was no quick statement from Hezbollah.

Recent Israeli Operations

Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the recent period have taken the lives of its former leader the group's past leader, much of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.

Statements from Israeli Leadership

The Israeli leader addressed his government ministers on Sunday morning before the strike that the country would carry on to combat “militant activities” on several fronts.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its ability to threaten us,” he stated.

Broader Context

Israel has stepped up bombing raids in the southern region, continuing a operation of frequent strikes that it says is designed to block a military revival by the faction in the frontier region.

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

The group claims it has complied with stipulations for it to cease its military presence in the frontier area near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to station there.