Israeli forces Target Lebanese group Chief of Staff in Beirut Airstrike
Israeli forces reportedly attacked the top military official of Lebanon's Iran-backed group the Hezbollah organization in a strike on Beirut's southern district, per the office of the Israeli PM on Sunday.
This represented the initial strike in months on the southern district of the capital city, an area renowned for sheltering Hezbollah officials.
Target Named as Military Leader
The target of the strike was the army leader the Hezbollah chief of staff, as reported by an Israeli source knowledgeable of the incident and a Lebanese security source. The prime minister's office did not confirm whether the official was fatally wounded.
US Notification Particulars
A high-ranking American official revealed that Israeli authorities did not notify Washington prior about the airstrike, as mentioned in a online report.
The official noted that the US government was informed immediately after the strike, and a another American official said that the US had been aware for several days that Israeli forces was preparing to intensify attacks in the country.
History on the Target
The US enforced sanctions on the Hezbollah official in 2016, labeling him as a prominent military figure in the group and announcing a reward of up to five million dollars for intel on him.
Strike Details and Aftermath
The blast struck a main road in the capital's southern area, where inhabitants reported noticing the roar of warplanes before the explosion.
People hurried out of their residences out of apprehension of further strikes, as stated by a correspondent in the region.
No fewer than two individuals were killed and several dozen were hurt and transported to clinics in the area, per health officials.
There was no quick statement from the organization.
Ongoing Israel's Operations
Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah over the past couple of years have killed its previous chief Hassan Nasrallah, a large portion of the high-ranking commanders and about five thousand combatants.
Comments from Prime Minister
The prime minister informed his cabinet on the morning of the incident before the attack that Israel would continue to combat “terrorism” on various arenas.
“Our efforts will persist to do all that is required to prevent Hezbollah from restoring its capability to threaten us,” he stated.
Broader Context
Israeli forces has increased airstrikes in southern Lebanon, continuing a campaign of regular assaults that it states is aimed to block a resurgence of forces by Hezbollah in the boundary zone.
Israel has charged the group of trying to acquire arms since a US-backed ceasefire recently.
The faction asserts it has followed stipulations for it to cease its troop placement in the boundary zone near the Israeli border, and for the Lebanese army to position there.
