🔗 Share this article Israeli forces Strike Hezbollah Chief of Staff in Beirut Airstrike The Israeli military reportedly attacked the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed faction the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on Beirut's southern district, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday. This represented the first strike in months on the southern district of the Lebanese capital, an area renowned for sheltering Hezbollah officials. Objective Identified as Military Leader The focus of the attack was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, as reported by an Israeli source informed about the incident and a Lebanese security source. The PM's office did not state whether the official was eliminated. American Notification Details A high-ranking American official stated that Israel did not alert Washington prior about the strike, per a online report. The authority clarified that the administration was notified right after the strike, and a another American official mentioned that the US had been aware for days that Israel was planning to escalate attacks in the country. Background on the Target The US levied restrictions on Tabtabai in 2016, classifying him as a critical military figure in the group and announcing a incentive of up to five million dollars for intel on him. Strike Particulars and Aftermath The strike impacted a main road in Beirut's southern area, where locals mentioned detecting the roar of aircraft before the explosion. People fled out of their apartment buildings out of fear of more bombings, as stated by a reporter in the zone. No fewer than two individuals were fatally wounded and two dozen were wounded and transported to hospitals in the vicinity, per medical sources. There was no prompt response from the group. Recent Israeli Operations Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have eliminated its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, much of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants. Comments from Prime Minister The prime minister addressed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the attack that the country would persist to fight “terrorism” on several fronts. “Our efforts will persist to do whatever is necessary to hinder Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to threaten us,” he declared. Broader Situation Israel has stepped up air attacks in south Lebanon, advancing a operation of regular assaults that it claims is designed to block a rebuilding of capabilities by Hezbollah in the boundary zone. Israel has charged Hezbollah of attempting to rearm since a American-endorsed peace agreement last year. The faction asserts it has followed requirements for it to end its armed deployment in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the national army to position there.