Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut on Wednesday for the first time since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in April. Israel claims it targeted a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released a joint statement, confirming the attack. Israeli media reported that the commander was killed in the strike. However, there was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli military or Hezbollah.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was established as part of a broader agreement between the United States and Iran, with Tehran demanding a halt on Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
As the United States and Iran are examining the latest proposal to end their conflict, Israeli troops remain in areas south of the Litani River while resuming strikes in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has reportedly responded by firing and launching armed drones towards the troops.
Israel implied an expansion of its military operation in Lebanon as it called for residents to evacuate villages north of the Litani River on Wednesday.
Talks between the two nations have been through meetings between diplomats in the United States, an action disapproved by Hezbollah. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday said it was premature to confirm any high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported on Wednesday that Salam said ensuring a ceasefire would be the basis for any negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington.
While announcing a three-week extension of the ceasefire on April 23, U.S President Donald Trump said he hoped to host Netanyahu and Lebanese President Netanyahu in the near future.
Salam maintained that Lebanon was not seeking “normalisation with Israel, but rather achieving peace.”
“Our minimum demand is a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal,” he said.
The Prime Minister also assured that the government would develop a plan to restrict weapons to state contron in order to disarm Hezbollah.
