Israel hit Hezbollah commander

Beirut (dpa) — The Israeli Air Force has carried out a strike in a suburb of Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire took effect three weeks ago, targeting a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan unit, officials said.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation on Wednesday was aimed at “eliminating” the commander.

Israeli Channel 13 reported, citing Israeli sources, that the Radwan commander Malek Balut, his deputy and several other fighters were killed in the strike. Hezbollah sources confirmed to dpa that a commander was killed.

The attack took place at around 8 pm (1700 GMT) after the air force received specific intelligence, the report said. Balut was believed to have been hiding in an apartment in the Haret Hreik area of the densely populated Dahieh suburb, where Israeli jets dropped around 10 heavy bombs.

Residents in Beirut reported loud explosions, with witnesses describing scenes of panic in the southern suburbs and beyond. Many people abandoned their cars by the roadside, while others fled the area. “When we heard the explosions, we ran down the stairs and fled,” one resident told dpa. Many residents had only recently returned to their homes in Dahieh following the ceasefire.

Israel hit Hezbollah commander

According to Israeli officials, the United States was informed ahead of the strike and approved the operation. Northern Israel has been placed on heightened alert in anticipation of possible escalation.

“The Radwan terrorists led by him are responsible for fire directed at Israeli communities and attacks against Israel Defense Forces soldiers,” the statement by Netanyahu and Katz said.

“No terrorist has immunity; the long arm of Israel will reach every enemy and murderer.”

The strike was intended to ensure the security of residents in northern Israel, the statement added.

Despite an official ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, cross-border violence has continued on a near-daily basis.

Tensions have escalated since early March amid a broader regional flare-up, after rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel. Israel responded with air strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, accompanied by heavy fighting along the border.