Israel strikes Beirut for first time since ceasefire 

Israel on Wednesday carried out an airstrike on Beirut for the first time since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last month, raising fresh fears over the stability of the fragile truce linked to the broader US-Iran conflict.

The strike targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area considered a stronghold of Hezbollah, with Israeli authorities saying the operation was aimed at a commander within the group’s elite Radwan force.

In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the attack, describing it as a targeted military operation against Hezbollah leadership.

Israeli media reported that the commander was killed in the strike, although there was no immediate confirmation from either the Israeli military or Hezbollah.

The latest development threatens the ceasefire agreement that halted Israeli attacks on Beirut and became a major component of wider diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran.

The truce in Lebanon has been regarded as an important pillar supporting ongoing indirect understandings between Washington and Tehran, with Iran reportedly demanding an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon as part of broader de-escalation efforts.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border have remained high. Israeli troops continue to operate in areas south of the Litani River, while periodic strikes and exchanges of fire have persisted in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has responded to Israeli military operations by launching rockets and armed drones toward Israeli positions, according to Israeli authorities.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents in several villages north of the Litani River, a move analysts say could indicate an expansion of Israeli military operations deeper into Lebanese territory.

Meanwhile, diplomatic discussions between Israel and Lebanon have continued cautiously, mostly through ambassadorial-level contacts facilitated by Washington.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said it was still too early to discuss any high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel, insisting that efforts must first focus on strengthening the ceasefire and ending hostilities.

Salam said Lebanon’s priority remained achieving peace and securing a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanese territory, rather than pursuing formal normalization with Israel.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also stated that conditions were not yet suitable for a meeting with Netanyahu, stressing the need for a security agreement and a halt to Israeli attacks before further political engagement.

The conflict has continued to exact a heavy toll on both sides. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Zelaya killed four people, including two women and an elderly man.

Israel, on its part, said Hezbollah attacks involving rockets and explosive drones had injured two Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.

According to Lebanese authorities, more than 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since fighting escalated on March 2, while the Israeli military says Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets and drones into northern Israel during the same period.

Israeli officials say at least 17 soldiers and two civilians have been killed since the conflict intensified.