A senior commander from Hezbollah's elite force has been killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, the first on the area in nearly a month, a source close to the group has said to AFP.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military targeted "the commander of Hezbollah's Radwan force," identified by sources as Malek Ballout, the operations commander.
The strike has hit an apartment in Ghobeiri where Radwan leaders were reportedly holding a meeting.
Beirut and its southern suburbs had been spared Israeli attacks since 8 April, following massive strikes that killed more than 350 people.
Despite a truce in force since 17 April, residents have largely not returned to the Hezbollah stronghold.
This latest escalation has coincided with remarks from US President Donald Trump, who suggested there was "a very good chance" of sealing a peace deal with Iran.
Continued attacks
Earlier Wednesday, at least 16 people have been killed in strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon.
In Saksakiyeh, four people died and 33 were wounded, including children and women.
World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency has verified 152 attacks on healthcare, resulting in 103 deaths and the closure of three hospitals.
Israeli strikes since 2 March have killed more than 2,700 people and displaced over a million.
While the ceasefire remains technically in place, the terms allow Israel to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks."
Hezbollah rejects claim
However, Hezbollah sources said that no high-level military commanders from the Radwan Force or Hezbollah more broadly were affected by this strike.
Despite the conflicting reports, the attack on the southern suburbs—one of the most densely populated areas around the capital—has raised serious concerns.
Many residents had returned to the area when the ceasefire went into place, believing it would be safe.
Today's strike is the clearest indicator yet that Israel intends to keep striking anywhere it considers a threat to its national security.
