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Israel Strikes Beirut Suburbs Killing Hezbollah Commander as US Seeks Iran Deal on Hormuz
Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday, the first since an April ceasefire with Hezbollah, killing the commander of the group's Radwan Force. The strike occurred as the United States awaits Iran's response to a proposed agreement that would ease sanctions in exchange for nuclear limits and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
May 6, 4:49 PM·3m read30 sources
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Israeli forces struck Beirut's southern suburbs Wednesday night for the first time since a ceasefire took effect last month, killing the commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military targeted the commander of the Radwan force.
A source close to Hezbollah identified the dead man as Malek Ballout, the operations commander in that unit. The Israeli military confirmed the strike aimed to eliminate the commander, who it said had directed attacks against Israeli forces and communities from Beirut.
Netanyahu personally approved the operation. "No terrorist has immunity, regardless of location," he stated. Lebanon's health ministry reported at least 11 other people killed in Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon the same day. In Saksakiyeh, four people died and 33 were wounded, including six children and four women.
Beirut and its southern suburbs had been spared Israeli attacks since April 8. Many residents fled the area after Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the war in March and have not returned despite the truce in force since April 17. The ceasefire terms allow Israel to act against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks by Hezbollah.
Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon, particularly the south, since the truce, with Hezbollah retaliating by launching attacks on Israeli troops. The Israeli military said an explosive drone impact wounded four soldiers, one severely, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the Beirut strike. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir, visiting troops in southern Lebanon where Israel has established a "yellow line," said forces will seize every opportunity to deepen the dismantling of Hezbollah and continue weakening it.
Since March 2, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 2,700 people and displaced more than 1 million, according to Lebanese authorities. These attacks closed three hospitals and 41 primary health centres while damaging 16 more hospitals.
