Israel Conducts Airstrike on Beirut Suburb Targeting Hezbollah Commander

Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs, known as Dahieh, on Wednesday evening, the first such strike on Lebanon’s capital since a US-mediated ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect on April 16. The strike took place at around 20:00 local time in the Haret Hreik area.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the target was a senior Hezbollah commander from the group’s Radwan Force who was responsible for directing rocket and drone attacks against Israeli communities and soldiers.

The IDF stated that the operation was a targeted strike on a meeting of Radwan Force members. Israeli officials said no terrorist has immunity. One official statement read: “No terrorist is immune - Israel's long arm will reach every enemy and murderer.” The strike marks the first time Israeli jets have bombed Beirut in nearly a month.

Both sides have continued attacks since the April 16 agreement, accusing each other of violations. Lebanon’s health ministry reported more than 120 people killed across the country in the past week, including women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

More than 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since early March, according to the health ministry. Israeli officials say 16 soldiers and one civilian have been killed in southern Lebanon along with two civilians in northern Israel.

Hezbollah has carried out rocket and drone attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Last week an Israeli defence ministry contractor was killed by a drone while operating an excavator. Rights groups have raised concerns about the scale of destruction in Lebanese border villages.

A US State Department spokesperson said Hezbollah is trying to derail talks between Israel and Lebanon, which have continued at the ambassador level. Iran has attacked US forces and commercial vessels more than 10 times since the April 7 ceasefire announcement, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remained in effect. Central Command reported turning around 52 ships and disabling an Iranian-flagged oil tanker.

Lebanon’s president has rejected a direct meeting with Israeli leadership in the near term. Dahieh, described as a Hezbollah stronghold, has remained largely empty since the ceasefire, with residents fearing further strikes. Jets were also reported flying at low altitude over the Bekaa Valley on Wednesday.

As well as the assassination strike on Beirut, Israel struck more than 15 support targets in southern Lebanon on the same day.