Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut on Wednesday for the first time since last month’s ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, escalating fears that the fragile truce between the two sides may be collapsing.
Israeli officials said the strike targeted a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in Beirut’s southern suburbs, while clashes and cross-border attacks continued in southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike in a joint statement.
Israeli media reported that the targeted Hezbollah commander was killed in the attack, though there was no immediate confirmation from either the Israeli military or Hezbollah.
The strike marked the first Israeli attack on Beirut since the ceasefire was agreed upon last month, raising concerns over the future of the truce.
Ceasefire Under Pressure Amid Regional Tensions
The Lebanon ceasefire had been seen as a key part of a wider U.S.-Iran understanding aimed at reducing tensions across the region.
Iran had reportedly demanded an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon as part of broader diplomatic efforts with the United States. However, the latest strike now threatens to destabilize those efforts.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued operating in areas south of the Litani River, while Hezbollah has launched rockets and armed drones toward Israeli troops.
Israel also issued evacuation warnings earlier on Wednesday for several villages north of the Litani River, signaling a possible expansion of military operations.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said it was too early to discuss any high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Salam stressed that strengthening the ceasefire must come before any further negotiations between the two countries.
He said discussions between Lebanese and Israeli representatives in Washington had so far remained at the ambassador level.
US-backed talks continue
The United States hosted two meetings last month involving the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington.
Hezbollah has strongly opposed such contacts, viewing them as unacceptable engagement with Israel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said earlier this week that conditions were not suitable for a meeting with Netanyahu.
According to Aoun, Lebanon first wants a security agreement and a complete halt to Israeli attacks before discussing any political meeting.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump recently said he hoped to host Netanyahu and Aoun in the near future and believed there was “a great chance” for a peace deal this year.
Lebanon pushes for Israeli withdrawal
Salam clarified that Lebanon was not seeking normalization with Israel but rather “achieving peace.”
He said Beirut’s minimum demand remained a clear timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese government is also preparing a plan aimed at placing all weapons under state control, a move widely seen as part of efforts to eventually disarm Hezbollah.
Israel says it has created a security zone extending up to 10 kilometers inside southern Lebanon to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike on the town of Zelaya killed four people, including two women and an elderly man.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, accused Hezbollah of launching explosive drones and rockets at Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, injuring two troops.
Israel also said its air force intercepted a hostile aircraft before it entered Israeli airspace and carried out additional strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon.
