Israel Target Lebanese group Chief of Staff in Beirut Operation
Israeli forces reportedly targeted the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-aligned faction the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, per the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.
This marked the first airstrike in months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an region recognized for sheltering Hezbollah officials.
Objective Named as Military Leader
The focus of the attack was the military official Ali Tabtabai, according to an Israeli source informed about the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was eliminated.
US Alert Details
A high-ranking American official stated that Israeli authorities did not notify the US administration in advance about the operation, as mentioned in a social media post.
The authority clarified that the US government was notified right after the strike, and a another American official stated that the United States had been aware for several days that Israel was preparing to escalate attacks in the country.
History on the Target
The US levied restrictions on Tabtabai in recent years, identifying him as a critical Hezbollah military leader and providing a incentive of up to $5m for intel on him.
Strike Particulars and Consequences
The airstrike struck a main road in the capital's southern area, where inhabitants reported detecting the roar of jets before the blast.
Civilians hurried out of their apartment buildings out of concern of further strikes, as stated by a correspondent in the area.
No fewer than two people were killed and approximately 24 were injured and taken to clinics in the vicinity, per hospital staff.
There was no prompt response from the group.
Recent Israeli Campaign
Attacks by Israel on the Lebanese faction over the past couple of years have eliminated its former leader the group's past leader, much of the senior military leadership and about 5,000 fighters.
Statements from Israeli Leadership
The prime minister addressed his cabinet on Sunday morning before the strike that Israel would carry on to confront “terrorism” on several fronts.
“We shall carry on to do all that is required to stop the group from re-establishing its capability to pose a danger to us,” he stated.
Broader Situation
Israeli forces has escalated bombing raids in southern Lebanon, continuing a operation of regular assaults that it says is aimed to hinder a military revival by the faction in the boundary zone.
Israel has alleged the group of trying to acquire arms since a US-backed ceasefire last year.
The group asserts it has followed stipulations for it to terminate its armed deployment in the frontier area near the Israeli border, and for the military forces to deploy there.
