Israeli forces Attack Hezbollah Military Leader in Lebanese capital Operation
The Israeli military reportedly attacked the top military official of the Lebanese Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in a strike on Beirut's southern district, according to the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.
This marked the initial airstrike in months on the southern suburbs of the capital city, an zone known for hosting officials from the group.
Objective Identified as Ali Tabtabai
The objective of the attack was the army leader Ali Tabtabai, per an Israeli source knowledgeable of the incident and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not confirm whether Tabtabai was eliminated.
American Notification Particulars
A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities did not notify the US administration beforehand about the operation, per a online report.
The authority added that the administration was alerted immediately after the incident, and a second senior US official stated that the United States had known for several days that Israel was planning to escalate strikes in Lebanon.
Background on the Target
The United States enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in recent years, classifying him as a prominent military figure in the group and offering a reward of up to $5m for information on him.
Strike Particulars and Consequences
The airstrike impacted a central avenue in Beirut's southern area, where locals stated hearing the roar of aircraft before the detonation.
Civilians rushed out of their homes out of apprehension of more bombings, according to a reporter in the region.
No fewer than two people were lost their lives and several dozen were injured and rushed to hospitals in the area, according to health officials.
There was no immediate comment from the group.
Recent Israeli Operations
Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the last two years have eliminated its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, a significant part of the senior military leadership and about thousands of militants.
Comments from Israeli Leadership
The Israeli leader informed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would continue to fight “terrorism” on multiple fronts.
“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent the group from rebuilding its capability to endanger our security,” he declared.
Broader Context
Israel has escalated air attacks in southern Lebanon, pressing a operation of regular assaults that it says is aimed to hinder a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the frontier region.
Israeli authorities has alleged the group of trying to restock weapons since a truce supported by the US recently.
The group asserts it has followed conditions for it to end its armed deployment in the frontier area near Israel, and for the military forces to station there.
