Israeli forces Attack Lebanese group Military Leader in Beirut Raid
Israeli forces reportedly targeted the chief of staff of the Lebanese Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a airstrike on Beirut's southern district, according to the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.
This was the first strike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area known for hosting Hezbollah officials.
Target Named as Ali Tabtabai
The target of the strike was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, as reported by an source from Israel briefed on the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not reveal whether the official was killed.
US Alert Details
A senior US official revealed that Israel did not notify Washington prior about the strike, according to a online report.
The authority noted that the administration was informed right after the incident, and a another American official mentioned that the United States had been aware for several days that Israel was intending to intensify attacks in Lebanon.
Background on the Target
The United States imposed restrictions on the Hezbollah official in recent years, classifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and providing a bounty of up to $5m for details on him.
Strike Particulars and Consequences
The strike struck a central avenue in Beirut's southern suburbs, where residents reported noticing the roar of jets before the detonation.
Residents hurried out of their apartment buildings out of fear of more bombings, per a journalist in the zone.
No fewer than two individuals were killed and several dozen were hurt and taken to clinics in the vicinity, per health officials.
There was no quick statement from the organization.
Ongoing Israel's Campaign
Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the recent period have taken the lives of its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the group's top military brass and about thousands of militants.
Statements from Israeli Leadership
The Israeli leader addressed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that the country would persist to confront “militant activities” on various arenas.
“We shall carry on to do everything needed to hinder Hezbollah from re-establishing its ability to pose a danger to us,” he stated.
Broader Context
Israel has increased airstrikes in the southern region, pressing a campaign of near-daily attacks that it says is intended to hinder a resurgence of forces by the faction in the border area.
Israeli authorities has alleged the group of seeking to rearm since a truce supported by the US recently.
The faction says it has abided by conditions for it to terminate its military presence in the border region near Israel, and for the national army to deploy there.
