Israel said it killed a commander from Hezbollah during an airstrike on southern Beirut, marking the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since last month’s ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military stated that the target was a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force and confirmed the strike took place in Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold.
There was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah regarding the commander’s death.
The strike was jointly announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Ceasefire Faces Growing Pressure
The attack has increased concerns about the stability of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which had largely halted Israeli strikes on Beirut.
Despite the agreement, Israeli troops remain deployed in parts of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River, and Israel has continued conducting military operations in the region.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has responded to Israeli actions by launching rockets and armed drones toward Israeli forces stationed near the border.
The ceasefire in Lebanon has also been considered an important element of broader regional efforts to reduce tensions linked to the wider Iran conflict.
Israel Expands Military Pressure
Earlier on Wednesday, Israel issued evacuation warnings for residents in several Lebanese villages north of the Litani River, signalling a possible expansion of its operational zone.
Israeli officials say the military campaign aims to prevent Hezbollah fighters from operating near the Israeli border and to strengthen security for northern Israeli communities.
Israel has established what it describes as a security zone extending up to ten kilometres into southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military also announced additional strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across multiple areas in Lebanon.
Lebanon Says High Level Talks Are Premature
Nawaf Salam said discussions about any direct high level meetings between Lebanon and Israel remain premature.
According to Lebanese officials, strengthening and stabilising the ceasefire must come before broader political negotiations can move forward.
Recent diplomatic contacts between Lebanon and Israel have mostly occurred through ambassadors and with mediation from the United States.
Washington hosted meetings last month involving Israeli and Lebanese diplomats as part of efforts to prevent further escalation.
However, Hezbollah has strongly opposed these diplomatic contacts.
Trump Pushes for Wider Regional Agreement
Last month, Donald Trump announced a three week extension of the Lebanon Israel ceasefire and expressed optimism about the possibility of a broader peace agreement.
Trump said he hoped to host Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun for talks and suggested there was a realistic chance for a peace deal later this year.
The latest Beirut strike, however, highlights how fragile the current truce remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Casualties Continue to Rise
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli strike in the southern town of Zelaya killed four people, including two women and an elderly man.
Meanwhile, Israel reported that Hezbollah attacks involving rockets and explosive drones injured two Israeli soldiers.
According to Lebanese authorities, more than 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since fighting escalated in March.
Israel says hundreds of rockets and drones have been launched toward its territory during the conflict, resulting in the deaths of soldiers and civilians in northern Israel.
Analysis
The Beirut strike signals that Israel is prepared to continue targeted operations against Hezbollah leadership even under a ceasefire arrangement. While both sides appear reluctant to return to full scale war, ongoing military exchanges increase the risk of miscalculation and wider escalation.
For Lebanon, the situation exposes deep political divisions between Hezbollah and the country’s leadership, which is attempting to stabilise relations and avoid further destruction.
For regional diplomacy, the incident complicates efforts by the United States and other mediators to secure broader understandings involving Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.
Although ceasefire agreements remain technically in place, the continuing exchanges suggest the conflict has entered a volatile phase where limited military operations and political negotiations are unfolding simultaneously.
With information from Reuters.
