ALBAWABA- Israeli forces carried out a targeted airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb on Wednesday, hitting a senior Hezbollah commander in a densely populated area and intensifying concerns of a wider conflict.
The strike hit the Haret Hreik neighborhood in Dahieh, near a hospital, with the Israel Defense Forces saying the target was a senior figure in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force responsible for directing attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, confirmed the operation. The attack marks one of the most significant strikes in the Lebanese capital in recent weeks and comes amid a sharp escalation in hostilities.
Lebanese authorities said Israel launched more than 50 strikes across the country within 24 hours, killing at least 15 people and pushing the overall death toll since early March to nearly 2,700.
In response, Hezbollah said it carried out 13 operations targeting Israeli forces and vehicles along the southern border. The group also released footage it said showed a drone strike on Israeli positions, underlining its continued use of unmanned systems.
The latest exchanges have further eroded a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States on April 16, 2026, which has been repeatedly violated by both sides. Israel says its strikes are necessary to neutralise the Radwan Force and prevent cross-border attacks, while Hezbollah describes its actions as retaliation for Israeli operations and airspace violations.
