Israel Target Hezbollah Chief of Staff in Lebanese capital Raid
The Israeli military allegedly targeted the chief of staff of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, as stated by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday.
This was the first airstrike in months on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, an zone renowned for sheltering officials from the group.
Objective Named as Military Leader
The target of the attack was the military official the Hezbollah chief of staff, per an source from Israel briefed on the strike and a security official in Lebanon. The prime minister's office did not state whether Tabtabai was fatally wounded.
US Notification Details
A senior US official stated that Israeli authorities failed to inform Washington beforehand about the airstrike, according to a online report.
The official noted that the administration was alerted following the strike, and a second senior US official stated that the United States had had information for days that Israeli forces was intending to increase attacks in the country.
History on the Target
The US enforced restrictions on Tabtabai in recent years, identifying him as a critical military figure in the group and offering a incentive of up to five million dollars for details on him.
Attack Particulars and Consequences
The strike hit a central avenue in the capital's southern area, where inhabitants stated detecting the sound of warplanes before the blast.
Residents rushed out of their residences out of fear of further strikes, as stated by a journalist in the area.
At least two individuals were lost their lives and approximately 24 were hurt and taken to medical facilities in the vicinity, per medical sources.
There was no prompt response from Hezbollah.
Recent Israeli Campaign
Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have taken the lives of its ex-head Hassan Nasrallah, much of the high-ranking commanders and about thousands of militants.
Statements from Prime Minister
The prime minister told his government ministers on the morning of the incident before the strike that the country would continue to combat “terrorism” on multiple fronts.
“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from restoring its ability to threaten us,” he declared.
Wider Situation
Israeli forces has stepped up airstrikes in south Lebanon, continuing a campaign of frequent strikes that it claims is aimed to block a rebuilding of capabilities by the faction in the border area.
Israel has alleged Hezbollah of seeking to restock weapons since a US-backed ceasefire last year.
The faction asserts it has complied with stipulations for it to cease its military presence in the border region near the Israeli border, and for the national army to station there.
